part III

Theory of Evolution

Case study: Anole lizards of the Caribbean

ongoing examples of evolution among living organisms can be observed, recorded and tested

In convergent evolution organisms that are not closely related resemble each other because they have responded to similar environments

Natural selection of the Anole

Twig dwelling species evolved independently (not related) on each island -convergent evolutioneach island had closely related twig dwelling, trunk dwelling and ground dwelling forms - divergent evolution

Adaptive Radiation

A new population in a new environment ( like an island) will undergo divergence until populations fill the various parts (niches) of the environment

Artificial Selection

Dog breeding was an example used by Darwin to explain the idea of selection

DNA analysis today supports the idea that humans first selected domestic dogs from a wolf population about 15,000 years ago.

CoevolutionWhen two or more species have evolved adaptations to each other’s influence.

Examples: bacteria evolving a capsule to resist your immune system

antibiotic resistance

Animal toxins and prey resistance