The document explores various lines of evidence supporting the theory of evolution, including comparative anatomy and embryology, which highlight commonalities among species that suggest descent from a common ancestor. Biogeography is examined through the distribution of marsupials, particularly their historical split and migration patterns across continents influenced by continental drift. The document emphasizes the significance of fossil evidence and species development similarities in understanding evolutionary processes.

1. Evidence of Evolution
Exploring Various Lines of
Evidence for the Theory of
Evolution

2. Lines of Evidence
• Comparative Anatomy
• Embryology
• Biogeography

3. Comparative Anatomy
Similarities in structures
between species
suggest they
descended from a
common ancestor.
Note the color-coded
bones for the limbs of
these 4 mammals –
though different, they
share many similar
bones. Describe the
function of each
animal’s limb in your
notes.

4. Embryology
Ernst von Baer (1828): the more closely
related any two species are, the more
similar their development as embryos.
In this game, you will look at pictures of
embryos and guess what animal it is.
Is it a snake, chicken, possum, cat, bat
or human?
Write your guess down in your notes,
before you look at the answer!

5. Embryology
Snake!
Are you sure
that’s your
prediction?

6. Embryology
Bat!
Are you sure
that’s your
prediction?

7. Embryology
Cat!
Are you sure
that’s your
prediction?

8. Embryology
Chicken!
Are you sure
that’s your
prediction?

9. Embryology
Human!
Are you sure
that’s your
prediction?

10. Embryology
Possum!
Are you sure
that’s your
prediction?

12. Biogeography
• Marsupial distribution across the globe:
http://evolution.berkeley.edu/evolibrary/arti
cle/0_0_0/lines_11
• Distribution today split on two sides of
globe – how?
• Review a few facts of the distribution and
marsupials, as well as the history of the
Earth, then formulate hypothesis behind
distribution
Biogeography is the study of the large-scale
or global pattern of distribution of species,
including the history and causes of this
distribution.
For this activity, you will explore the history
and cause behind the distribution of
marsupials.

13. Biogeography
• Marsupial distribution across the globe:
http://evolution.berkeley.edu/evolibrary/arti
cle/0_0_0/lines_11
• Distribution today split on two sides of
globe – how?
• Review a few facts of the distribution and
marsupials, as well as the history of the
Earth, then formulate hypothesis behind
distribution
Marsupials are a group of mammals that
give birth to live young that develop in an
outer pouch of the mother.
Koala
Kangaroo
Sugar Glider
Opossum
Bandicoot

14. Biogeography
There is no evidence of any marsupials able to swim across the
ocean. No marsupial has been observed wandering across
the Asian mainland. There does not appear to be any route of
migration between the two populations of marsupials. How do
you think some marsupials ended up halfway across the world
from the others?

15. Biogeography
Continental Drift over millions of years – watch
the movement of land masses

16. Biogeography
Continental Drift + Distribution of Marsupials

17. Biogeography
Similar reptilian Mesosaurus fossils found in
both South America and Africa  evidence
of continental drift
(couldn’t swim the ocean, no land bridge 
continents once joined)

18. Biogeography
Similar reptilian Mesosaurus fossils found in
both South America and Africa (couldn’t swim
the ocean, no land bridge)
 evidence of continental drift (continents
once joined)