1. Primate Evolution
WHAT IS EVOLUTION?
Evolution is simply defined as all species of
organisms arising and developing through the
natural selection of small, inherited variations
that increase the individual's ability to
compete, survive, and reproduce. All species
are derived from a common ancestor, and
successful ancestors are still alive today, like
with humans and monkeys.
Who discovered it?
Charles Dawrin discovered “decent with
modification” when he observed differing
finch beak size in the Galapagos Islands. His
research showed that due to environmental
situations, different beak sizes that were
better suited and helped a finch to survive
were selected for and that trait remained for
the next generation.
How do we know if it is true?
The fossil record! This collection is first and foremost among
the databases that document changes in past life on Earth.
There are thousands of fossils of all different types of animals
that help us to fill in the gaps between different species. This
allows us to make connections and see what species are more
closely related to each other.
Homologous
Analogous
Structures derived from
a common ancestral
structure.
Structures that look the
same for reasons other
than common ancestry.
For example, the same
function.
butterfly wings
vs
bat wings
Ontogeny
The process of embryo development.
Phylogeny
A species’ evolutionary history.
“Ontogeny Recapitulates Phylogeny”
An organism’s development will take it
through each of the adult stages of its
evolutionary history
Lemur evolution