Comparing Darwin and Wallace Island Birds: Laboratory Experiment

As seen with Anolis, single species of organisms have the ability to undergo adaptive radiation and become new species by filling niches in a given environment. This is prevalent not only in Anolis, but other model organisms as well, such as finches, sticklebacks, and cichlids. All of these organisms have gone through the similar mechanisms and processes to evolve into different species. Alike to Anolis, they have gone through reproductive isolation, adaptation, and convergent evolution. Due to a poor fossil record of Anolis, the other model organisms may give better outlook on how they have diverged overtime. Further investigations on all of these organisms and their evolutionary mechanisms would not only give better a better idea of ecological speciation, but more comprehension on the origin of all

There are numerous counts of evidence showing the processes of evolution and how species ultimately evolved over millions of years. One of the most compelling hypotheses behind evolution was presented by Charles Darwin with his study of the Galapagos Islands. His study showing the various different birds and their different evolutions they went through to be able to survive the changes of weather and relocation. The birds he studied had to change in order to survive, or as he simply puts it: “Survival of the Fittest”. Evolution is the changing of past organisms to diversify and have the ability to fit better in their environment and survive. Diving into the dinosaur cladogram, studies have shown that ancient dinosaurs, over hundreds of millions of years ago, evolved into our modern day birds, and not lizards as many suppose. It became apparent that there would not be enough food for a 9 ton dinosaur to consume on a daily basis forever. So evolution occurred and dinosaurs evolved to become more efficient so they could survive more effectively in their

The Evolution Lab simulates environmental situations to determine effects on evolution over periods of time. This lab experiments with the evolution of finches on two different islands over 100, 200, and 300 years. By manipulating parameters that influence natural selection, the effects that natural selection have on the evolution process can be studied.

Charles Darwin first suggested how evolution occurs in the natural selection process. Natural selection is the survival and reproduction of individuals with different phenotypes resulting in interactions with the environment. Genetic drift and gene flow can contribute to evolution too. Genetic drift is a random change in allele frequencies of a population. Gene flow is the movement of alleles between two or more populations. This is how populations evolve. In this lab, I completed an activity about Darwinian snails. A biologist named Robin Seeley suspected that New England’s periwinkle snail population was evolving due to predation by green crabs and she compared the old shells of these snails to the new ones. Robin Seeley recorded her results from the shell measurements to find the difference. It turned out that the range in shell thickness was different from 1980 and 1871. We completed a simulation online about the Darwinian snail population and the green crab population. This lab taught me the roles of mutations in introducing new genetic variation within a population! Populations evolve by the means of natural selection. I now understand the role of genetic variation, inheritance, and selection the evolution of a population. Being aware of the great diversity of living things on earth is just as important as knowing the long process of evolution. This lab was more than worth

According to Dr. James Krupa of The University of Kentucky “evolution is the foundation upon which all biology rests.” In biology, evolution is the genetic change in characteristics over generations and is dependent on the process of natural selection. ‘The theory of evolution is based on the idea that all species are related and gradually change over time’ (Genome Campus, 2017). Genetic variation is vital to evolution as it affects the physical characteristics or phenotypes of morphology. Natural Selection is affected by environmental factors that act upon a population and result in the mutation of organism through offspring. These mutations enable individuals to adapt to their environments in order to survive, find food, avoid predators and

Environmental conditions are sometimes appropriate for the evolution of numerous species from a common ancestor. Evolutionary, or adaptive, radiations happen when a large number of species descend from one lineage. This phenomenon usually occurs when a population of one species colonizes an area with many available ecological niches and when the rate of speciation is greater than the rate of extinction in a given area. Adaptive radiations have historically taken place after mass extinctions and on newly formed island archipelagos, because these incidences create conditions where new species can fill open ecological niches. Unlike the mainland, ecological niches are available on new island systems. These island species adapt to new environments

"Much has been written on whether or not the Darwinian theory was original. Inevitably, historians have concluded that there was little novelty in what Darwin and Wallace were saying. Down through the centuries, from ancient Greek times on, various writers have suggested that new species can arise through the modification of old and that among all the possible organic types, the world contains only those that can survive the struggle for life." (8)

When Darwin was in the Galapagos he observed variation and adaptation. Where the animals on the island had a variation that will

Evolutionary changes can be both big and small. Some evolutionary changes do not create new species, but result in changes at the

One of Wallace’s most notable discoveries is coined the “Wallace Line”. This invisible line abruptly separates animal species that inhabit a string of islands near Indonesia. Typically,

There are many factors which influence evolution. Some examples are availability of food and the ability to adapt. How did evolution lead to the Saddle-backed shell tortoise being the only one on the Galápagos Islands? Two scientists propose their theories on evolution.

Charles Darwin has credit with the theory of natural selection in the history books, however there was another person – Alfred Russell Wallace – who came to the same conclusion. He was of plebian descent and had no reservations about going against the doctrines of the Church of England. He, like Darwin, had similar questions about species variation, diversity, and fitness; he decided to seek out the answers in his travels. Wallace’s theory of evolution came from his experiences and observations in the unexplored islands of the Malay Archipelago - specifically Borneo, Bali, Lombok, and New Guinea – and Australia.

There are many definitions of what constitutes an adaptation and a great debate amongst many famous biologists and philosophers, each championing their own definition of adaptation. Historical definitions include the ‘design’ oriented approach of Williams, who claims

Darwin realized that the animals living on different islands were once members of the same species. These separate species would have evolved from an original South American ancestor species.

The Galapagos Islands is an archipelago of roughly 19 islands and several smaller islets, covering 620 miles off the Ecuadorian coast in the Pacific Ocean. Both the land and sea are protected, making the island a World Heritage site. The islands are recognized for its unique wildlife, especially because of the lack of predators. Visitors can interact with the friendly wildlife such as playful sea lions and gigantic sea tortoises, up close and personal. The incredible animal species served as the inspiration for Charles Darwin’s Theory of Evolution after his visit to the islands in 1835. Each of these actively volcanic isolated isles boasts its own set of unique species, but share similar environment, and climate. It is one of the most outstanding marine ecosystems in the world, situated at the confluence of three ocean currents.