Darwin and Evolution

Charles Darwin and Evolution Darwin made an early and crucial step in his own thinking when he unearthed fossil mammals in the same places like Uruguay and Argentina where closely related living species were now found, which suggested that the latter were descended from the former1. Darwin believed that through millions of years all species of plants and animals had evolved from a few common ancestors and first presented his theories on evolution to a meeting of scientists in 1858. In most cases, according to Darwin, no two members of any species are exactly alike. Each organism has an individual combination of traits, and most of these traits are inherited. Darwin used an example that would relate to the population to get his word and theory across. He explained that gardeners and farmers commonly developed special kinds of plants and animals by selecting and breeding organisms that have desired traits and he believed that this same process was taking place in nature which he named “natural selection”. It may be further inferred that natural selection, if carried far enough, makes changes in a population, eventually leading to new species. He proposed that evolution occurred through a process called “natural selection” which was later more popularly known as “survival of the fittest.” Darwin's theory of evolution is based on five key observations and inferences drawn from them. The first is that species have great fertility. They make more offspring than can grow to adulthood. The second is that populations remain roughly the same size, with modest fluctuations. The third is that food resources are limited, but are relatively constant most of the time. From these first three observations it may be assumed that in such an environment there will be a struggle for survival among individuals. Fourth is that in sexually reproducing species, generally no two individuals are identical. Variation is rampant. And lastly much of this variation is heritable. In a world of...