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