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Darwin's Theory of Evolution: Epic Voyage of Discovery

Explore Charles Darwin's groundbreaking journey aboard the HMS Beagle, collecting specimens and developing the theory of biological evolution. Discover how species vary globally, locally, and over time, shaping modern biology.

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Darwin's Theory of Evolution: Epic Voyage of Discovery

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  1. Chapter 16: Darwin’s Theory of Evolution Section 16-1: Darwin’s Voyage of Discovery

  2. Darwin’s Epic Journey • Charles Darwin – born February 12, 1809 in England • Scientific view of natural world dramatically changing • Geologists – Earth ancient, changed over time • Biologists – life changed • Evolution = change over time • Darwin developed a scientific theory of biological evolution that explains how modern organisms evolved over long periods of time through descent from common ancestors.

  3. Observations Aboard the Beagle • Darwin traveled on the HMS Beagle as naturalist for 5 years, collecting specimens of plants and animals from around the world

  4. Observations Aboard the Beagle • Amazed by the variety/number of living things • Filled notebooks with observations of characteristics/habitats • Noticed three patterns of biological diversity: • Species vary globally • Species vary locally • Species vary over time

  5. Species Vary Globally • Different, yet ecologically similar, animal species inhabited separated, but ecologically similar, habitats around the globe • Rheas of South America look/act like ostriches of Africa, emus of Australia • Live in grasslands – not ALL species the same

  6. Species Vary Locally • Different, yet related, animal species often occupied different habitats within a local area • Galapagos Islands – very close, but very different conditions • Tortoises vary in a predictable way • BIRDS

  7. Species Vary Over Time • Collected fossils – the preserved remains/traces of ancient organisms • Noticed that some fossils of extinct animals were similar to living species

  8. Putting the Pieces Together • Darwin analyzed patterns he observed on the voyage home • Sent plant/animal specimens to be identified • Galapagos animals unique, but similar to South American species • Evidence suggested species were not fixed – changed by some natural process

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