Chapter 16: Darwin s Theory of Evolution

16.1 Darwin s Voyage of Discovery 16.2 Ideas That Shaped Darwin s Thinking 16.3 Darwin Presents His Case 16.4 Evidence of Evolution

Big Idea: EVOLUTION

What is NATURAL SELECTION?

Chapter 16.1
General Question:
What patterns of biodiversity did Darwin observe while traveling aboard the Beagle?

Darwin s Epic Journey

Key Question: Question:
What was Charles Darwin s contribution to science?

Charles Darwin
born in England, 1809 1831
5 year journey on the HMS Beagle
Ship s mission is to map South America See Fig 16-1 16-

Darwin s Epic Journey

Galapagos Islands
West coast of South America, at the Equator Coordinates: Latitude: 040 0 S Longitude: 9033 0 W 90

Darwin s Epic Journey

This is where Darwin developed a scientific theory of biological evolution that explains how modern organisms evolved over long periods of time through descent from common ancestors. ancestors.

Observations Aboard the Beagle

Key Question:
What three patterns of biodiversity did Darwin note?
While on the Galapagos Islands, Darwin noticed three distinctive patterns of biological diversity:
Species vary globally Species vary locally Species vary over time

Species Vary Globally

Darwin noticed that different, yet ecologically similar, animal species inhabited separated, but ecologically similar, habitats around the globe.

Species Vary Globally

Example:
flightless, groundgrounddwelling birds are found in the grasslands around the globe:
Rheas in South America Ostriches in Africa Emu in Australia

Question:
Why is it significant that many of the stops the Beagle made were near the equator?

Species Vary Locally

Darwin noticed that different, yet related, animal species often occupied different habitats within a local area.

Species Vary Locally

Example:
Galapagos Islands
Several islands were home to distinct forms of giant land tortoises.

Species Vary Over Time

Darwin noticed that some fossils of extinct animals were similar to living species.

Species Vary Over Time

Fossil: preserved remains of ancient, extinct organisms.
Example: Glyptodonts (giant, armored, landlanddwelling animal)
Fossils of glyptodonts are found today in regions inhabited by presentpresent-day armadillos.

Putting the Pieces of the Puzzle Together

The great variety of species of animals found on the Galapagos Islands must have come from a common ancestor on the mainland of South America and changed over time to the demands of each individual habitat.

Assessment Questions 16.1

1. What is evolution?

Assessment Questions 16.1

2. What three kinds of variations among organisms did Darwin observe during the voyage of the Beagle?

Assessment Questions 16.1

3. Darwin found fossils of many organisms that did not resemble any living species. How might this finding have affected his understanding of life s diversity?

Assessment Questions 16.1

4. You have learned that both biotic and abiotic factors affect ecosystems. Give some examples of each, and explain how biotic and abiotic factors could have affected the tortoises that Darwin observed on the Galapagos Islands

Assessment Questions 16.1

5. What was Charles Darwin s contribution to science?

Assessment Questions 16.1

6. What three patterns of biodiversity did Darwin note?