Charles Darwin published On the Origin of Species in 1859, introducing his theory of evolution by natural selection. Darwin observed that species are well-adapted to their environments and change over generations through natural selection of inheritable traits. He proposed that all life on Earth descended from common ancestors and diversified over time. The chapter discusses evidence that supported Darwin's theory, including the fossil record, biogeography, and modern examples of observed evolutionary change in species.
6. Figure 22.2
1809
1798
1812
1795
1830
1790
1809 1831−36
1844
1859
1870
Lamarck publishes his
hypothesis of evolution.
Malthus publishes
“Essay on the Principle
of Population.”
Hutton proposes
his principle of
gradualism.
Charles Darwin
is born.
Darwin travels around
the world on HMS
Beagle.
The Galápagos Islands
Darwin writes his
essay on descent
with modification.
On the Origin of
Species is published.
While studying species in
the Malay Archipelago,
Wallace (shown in 1848)
sends Darwin his hypothesis
of natural selection.
1858Cuvier publishes his extensive
studies of vertebrate fossils.
Lyell publishes
Principles of Geology.
23. Figure 22.5
Darwin in 1840,
after his return
from the
voyage
The
Galápagos
Islands
NORTH
AMERICA
ATLANTIC
OCEAN
PACIFIC
OCEAN
PACIFIC
OCEAN
Pinta
Marchena
Genovesa
Equator
Chile
Santiago
Daphne
Islands
Fernandina
Isabela Santa
Cruz
Santa
Fe San
Cristobal
Española
Kilometers
0 20 40 Florenza
Pinzón
SOUTH
AMERICA
AFRICA
EUROPE
Great
Britain
HMS Beagle in port
Equator
PACIFIC
OCEAN
Malay Archipelago
AUSTRALIA
Tasmania
New
Zealand
Brazil
Argentina
Cape Horn
AndesMtns.
Cape of
Good Hope
97. Figure 22.UN02
Observations
Individuals in a population
vary in their heritable
characteristics.
Organisms produce more
offspring than the
environment can support.
Individuals that are well suited
to their environment tend to leave
more offspring than other individuals.
Inferences
and
Over time, favorable traits
accumulate in the population.