Evolution is change over
time. Natural selection is the mechanism
used to explain how evolution occurs, and Charles Darwin was the person who
proposed this theory. Natural selection
is the idea that a population changes over time when the most fit organisms
with certain heritable traits produce more offspring than other organisms. So with natural selection comes evolutionary
adaptation, where organisms are better suited to their environment. The favorable traits will be amplified, gradually accumulating to create small changes, while unfavorable traits will diminish.
Core Concern
What are some new evidences proving the theory of evolution?
What are some new evidences proving the theory of evolution?
Ancient ‘Clawed Bat’ Reveals Clues to Flying Mammal’s Evolution
http://westerndigs.org/ancient-giant-clawed-bat-reveals-clues-to-flying-mammals-evolution/
New fossils found in Wyoming
complete the ancient remains first discovered a decade ago. The new fossils shed light on the
evolutionary flight of bats. The ancient
species has been named Onychonycteris
finneyi. Unlike today’s bats that
only have one claw on each wing, the 52 million year old fossil has giant claws
on each finger and toe. The claws on the
Onychonycteris finneyi were suggested
to be useful for climbing trees and hanging upside down. However, unlike today’s bats their claws
weren’t delicate enough for roosting from cave ceilings because of the tiny
crevices. Studying the fossil, also led
scientists to believe the modern bats and ancestral bats had different flying
mechanisms. Onychonycteris finneyi had smaller wings. The predecessors flew by flapping their wings
instead of gliding, which is evident in the hip bone structure. The hip bones of the Onychonycteris finneyi allowed the legs to splay to the side that
gave the ancient bats a flat, sleek flying posture.
The content of
the source is informational. The author
doesn’t really have any bias. However,
there are other theories out there that disapprove of evolution, while this author is in favor of evolution. The information
in the report doesn’t directly relate to me but indirectly it does because as a human we have evolved and
adapted to our environments, just like bats. The article
pertains to what we learn in class as we have been and are still taught the theory of
evolution and natural selection. Throughout Earth’s 4.6 billion years, life has evolved and adapted. Species today aren’t what they were in the
past. Also, the article ties into biological diversity and human impact. As populations go through evolutionary adaptation diversity occurs. However, we are seeing less of that now as humans continue to consume and negatively impact species' habitats.
After reading about how bats evolved it was interesting to discover just how long the process is for scientists and paleontologists to completely extract fossil remains and reconstruct the organism. For the particular species in the article it took the scientists more than a decade to extract, analyze, and make conclusions.
Jessica Lai
Jessica Lai
Evidence that land animals evolved the ability to breathe air as ancient fish
http://phys.org/news/2014-01-evidence-animals-evolved-ability-air.html
In a new
discovery published in the Nature Communications Journal, there is evidence
indicating that four-legged animals first developed the ability to breathe air
while in water. Polypterus, the most primitive living bony fish, contains large
canals on top of its head called spiracles. This allows Polypterus to breathe
air while still being in water. The Scripps Research Institute observed and
measured the oxygen intake of Polypterus for 360 hours. Professor Long, the
Strategic Professor in Palaeontology at Flinders, states that Polypterus were
descended from the ancient Gogonasus. Eventually the spiracles evolved into a hearing
canal in which transmitted sound to the brain via tiny inner ear bones.
The
source does influence the content of the story by presenting this information
as new as exciting discovery for evolution. It is very one-sided and does not
provide any counterargument to balance out the story. The
information relates to me personally because it re-affirms my belief that
evolution exists. There are many people who do not believe it is occurring despite
mounting evidence saying otherwise. Studies like this and others will also
confirm other people’s assumption about evolution.
This
information relates to the topics of evolution and natural selection. This
article re-enforce the theory that natural selection is occurring when species
with beneficial mutations are allowed to survive and repopulate. This is the
same principle is applied to spiracles in fish to evolve into ears used for
hearing in humans.
I found
this article fascinating on how new information can help us understand a small
part of human evolution. While I am aware that humans are descended from
monkeys, I can’t fully comprehend the scope of evolution until specific
examples are given. While this may seem like a small discovery, it fits into
the complex narrative of how we came to be as a species.
Anusha Joshi
Discussion Questions
- If there is an overwhelming amount of tangible evidence supporting evolution why does creationism continue to persist?
- Are humans influencing the process of evolution?
-
How has evolution been impacted by the environment?
De Pastino, Blake. "Evidence That Land Animals Evolved the Ability to Breathe Air as
Ancient Fish." Western Digs. TechMag, 31 Oct. 2013. Web. 06 Feb. 2014.
"Evidence That Land Animals Evolved the Ability to Breath Air as Ancient fist." Phys.org.
Science X Network, 24 Jan. 2014. Web. 06 Feb. 2014.
Science X Network, 24 Jan. 2014. Web. 06 Feb. 2014.
Answering the second question, I believe humans have had a large impact on the process of evolution, mostly in the idea that animals and other life around us would have to evolve to survive in the habitat. Most noticeably, we have domesticated animals such as the dog, the cat, and even more dangerous animals such as snakes. To add to this human populations have caused the destruction of many animal habitats leading to the endangerment and extinction of multiple animals. Through hunting we have managed to eliminate the Caribbean Monk Seal and and the Carolina Parakeet. (Source: http://www.mnn.com/earth-matters/animals/photos/13-animals-hunted-to-extinction/carolina-parakeet). Humans have been crucial in defining Darwin's survival of the fittest through their interactions with the environment.
ReplyDeleteI believe that creationism persists because up until 150-200 years ago that is all that people knew. Creationism is deep rooted into most, if not every faith. From the Christian culture to the ancient Greeks to the African Tribes to the Native Americans - all of these faiths and every other one I can possibly think of have reasons for the existence of life that does not come close to Darwin's theory of evolution. Many, many people still follow long-lived faiths and are part of these cultures that don't run parallel with the theory of evolution. Overall, these faiths and cultures still affect people's conscience and way of thinking today, which I think is why many people reject the theory of evolution.
ReplyDeleteAlso, the theory of evolution is just that - a theory. There is technically no hard evidence that proves without-a-doubt that species evolve over time. Building on this idea, there is also probably some evidence somewhere that can 'disprove' the theory of evolution as well, and some people might look to that as proof that evolution doesn't actually happen.
I believe humans have had a very large influnce of many different kinds of specie's evolution. Essentially everytime we clear an area of forest for development, we destroy many animal habitats. The animals residing there now must find a whole new place to live, hunt and breed. In doing so, they may have to adapt to several new variables in this habitat that they have been forced in to. The animals choosing to make this new habitat permanent must evolve through generations to become accustomed to it. For example, on a large scale after the industrial revolution CO2 levels skyrocketed and caused global warming. Frogs, newts and toads are particularly vulnerable to such changes in temperature and need very specific habitats to survive. Sometimes they need particular plants around them to eat or use to make nests, or their eggs will only develop in certain temperatures.
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ReplyDeleteHumans are a persisting factor in many animal habitats, and in turn does affect the evolution of many different species. An example of this would be the peppered moths during the industrial evolution. In England, peppered light peppered moths were surviving due to being able to blend with the surrounding light colored trees, while predators picked off dark colored moths. The industrial revolution cause the ash and smut from factories to get on the trees, which turned the trees a dark color. This caused an increase in the dark peppered moth population due to them being able to blend in the the trees, and a decrease in the light peppered moth decrease. Without human interference in the scenario, the dark moths would have been wiped up due to natural selection, but human changed this.
ReplyDeleteHuman interaction can cause a decrease in biodiversity, through things like fires. Fires in savanna are a normal phenomenon, but humans have caused for an increase in fires. Animals that are not as well adapted to the fires will die out, while those that are well adapted will live on. This will decrease biodiversity within the biome
The theory of evolution is a THEORY, and for every theory there is a weak point and an argument that can be made against it. So those who support the theory of creationism look for that flaw, no matter how much evidence is presented against them. Creationists don't seem to care about patterns or similarities, they just believe that there is a higher force out there that influences the universe and evolutionists are too distracted by patterns to notice it. I do believe that evolution exists and the environment has definitely had a huge impact on it. Like how giraffes' necks have become longer over time, so that they are able to reach the food at the top of trees, that other animals cannot.
ReplyDeleteWhat I find most interesting about these two articles is the vast amount of time that passes between each adaptation, and how incredibly long the process of evolution actually is. When we learn about the process in school, we often forget how incredible it is that nature best equips us for survival, throughout generations. I think that the evidence supporting evolution is overwhelming, and we should continue to make discovery of fossils and ancient species a top priority. Also, I think it is fascinating that the most primitive bony fish can still be studied, as it provides a window into past eras.
ReplyDeleteI think that people continue to discredit evolution because there isn't concrete evidence that ensures it 100 percent. Although there is an overwhelming amount of evidence, such as the bats that had huge claws millions of years ago, or four legged organisms that were able to breathe underwater, there is not one fact or study that confirms evolution. It may be obvious and unquestionable that evolution exists, but some people may be quick to doubt it. They may doubt it because for example, there are monkeys/gorillas/chimps that resemble humans greatly. However, people question where the in-between species are. Why are there two extreme ends of this animal? How come there are not species that are between the gorillas and humans today? The answer is probably because those species died out, but people still doubt explanations like that because it is hard to understand how you can go from a gorilla to a human, who have so many differences, and not see any in-between species today. Religion is also a heavy influence on evolution beliefs since many people believe that evolution did not occur and the species today were created by other processes. In my opinion I believe evolution occurred because of all the evidence, however I still have my doubts since it is such a complex process that is sometimes hard to fathom.
ReplyDeleteCreationism continues to persist due to religious reasons. People choose what they want to believe based on the beliefs that they have held on to their whole life. For example, in the Christian Bible, Genesis1:1 states, 'God created the Heavens and the Earth.' Therefore people that follow this faith do not believe that single-celled organisms have evolved over millions of years into higher lifeforms because accroding to their religion, the Earth has only been around for thousands of years, not billions.
ReplyDeleteEvolution is completely based on the environment. Plants, animals, humans have all evolved and adapted to the needs of their surrounding. Darwin's finches showed that they had different sizes of beaks for the type of food they ate. Humans also evolved into what we are now, in order to adapt to our needs involving the environment.
ReplyDeleteCreationism persists, regardless of the vast amount of evidence for the theory of evolution because creationism is more religion based. And its what people believed for hundreds of year. A theory alone cannot remove the idea of creationism so fast. The Theory of Evolution also has many unexplained discontinuities which some people use as their basis that the theory is wrong. Creationism is mainly religion based and religion has always been rooted into society and their reasoning.
In response to question 2, I think that it is very obvious that humans impact evolution. Humans have a very large impact on the environment, and cause it to change constantly. Evolution itself is organisms adapting to the environment in order to survive. So in answer to your question, anything that cause environmental changes is impacting evolution.
ReplyDeleteRegarding question 3, it is the same concept as the second question. Many factors impact the environment, again causing it to change. Animals and plants must adapt to these changes, furthering evolution.
I believe that humans are key part in animals and plants need to adapt. Humans are the main issue to the environment changing as fast as it is. We are destroying their habitat's and reducing their food sources and this is what will lead to their adaptation. Many animals have already adapted to surviving off of humans, sharks often circle fishing boats and when they hook a fish they can easily kill the fish and take it from the humans. This is more of a hunting adaptation then a physical adaptation but it is a start of what will come. Pollution is also a key issue to survival as it is one of the main killers of other animals so they may eventually adapt to air and water pollution
ReplyDeleteI think that humans do influence animal and plant adaptations. We cause deforestation and pollute the environments in which many species live in. We force some animals to adapt and the ones that aren't able to end up being endangered species. Some ways we have effected animal adaptations are the peppered moths during the industrial revolution or racoons which scavenge trash due to their environment being destroyed.
ReplyDeleteI believe humans do help to cause some species to evolve. If we look at the dog we can see evidence of it. The dog is a decendent of the wolf and evolved to a dog because of its close proximity to humans. Humans are the most influential species to the globe and that then causes changes to every environment and affects every species. Look at the examples of moths from class, industrial smoke caused evolution to favor the darker moths, that industrial smoke was because of us!
ReplyDeleteI believe habitat loss is the main reason for evolution to be impacted. Human are in a constant need of land and resources and this cause habitat loss for many species. This will also cause species endangerment since the specie's habitat is being taken away from them leaving them with no where to go and to go extinct. But I also believe when habitat loss occurs, species will move to a different habitat and will adapt to it. This can cause genetic variation in species over time and evolution will occur.
ReplyDeleteAs humans change the environment without animal and plant consideration, we force animals to evolve in order for them to survive. For example during the industrial revolution peppered moths were forced to change color to blend with the tree bark. The moths that did not adapt has a much lower population due to predictors spotting them easily. The more genetically diverse a species is the harder it is to wipe them extinct.
ReplyDeleteI believe that humans have a very large impact on evolution because we are building in different plants' and animals' habitats which causes them to have to find a new home. This forces them to adapt to their new surrounding or else their is no way for them to survive. Also pollution plays a role in evolution as well. Specifically like when we learned about how in the Industrial Revolution in the UK the Peppered moth had to adapt to the soot that rested on the trees due to burning coal. This caused the moths to change from white to black in order to camouflage themselves against the trees. After technologies advanced and coal burning wasn't a necessity anymore, the trees turned their light shade again causing the white moths to survive longer than the coal black moths. Overall humans have always affected evolution in some way and we will probably continue to do so.
ReplyDeleteI definitely think that humans play a role in evolution because of how much we pollute and change animal habitats. This causes the animals to learn to live with it or be able to move, so they evolve in order to survive. Deforestation takes many animals habitats so these animals either learn to survive in a new habitat or they will die. Evolution has been impacted by the environment because plants and animals have to evolve in their environments in order to survive the natural selection process. Humans and the environment are big factors in evolution.
ReplyDeleteI really feel that humans play a huge role in evolution because of the many impacts they cause on the environment. Some environmental effects that impact animals is deforestation and habitat destruction. When animals habitats are destroyed or harmed they are forced to adapt to new environments and develop new adaptations which in turn causes evolution. Also many animals die from deforestation and habitat destruction which causes evolution because animals are forced to find other sources of food. Overall humans will always affect evolution in some way due to pollution and urbanization.
ReplyDeleteI believe that we as humans have a very large influence of many different animals and their evolution. The animals there now must find a whole new place to live. In this new habitat they may have to adapt to several new things that they're being forced in to. The animals choosing to move to this new habitat are in a need of adaptions. If the species do not adapt or not quickly enough it can cause decline or even extinction. Sometimes a species needs a certain plant around them in order to survive and our human influence can cause animals to move habitats can take these essentials away. For example, deforestation is a huge and common problem all over the world and we are truly cutting away hundreds of species habitats and I think this is a huge problem in our environment and humans play a major role.
ReplyDeleteI think humans have a major impact on the process of evolution. We as humans are always trying to speed up the evolution process by artificially selecting the traits we favor most and then breeding animals, toying with the natural selection process. Overtime, animals on their own evolve to fit the changing environment to adapt to their new surroundings. Also, we are always trying to expand, but we usually do this by cutting down forests to build new recreation areas or subdivisions, not really taking into consideration the many animal habitats we are destroying. The animals that can quickly adapt are the ones that will evolve and fit the new environment while the one's that can't will quickly die out.
ReplyDeleteThe process of evolution is influenced by both humans and the environment, in answer to questions two and three. Humans influence evolution by changing the environments that animals adapt to. By way of pollution, deforestation, urbanization, and other processes, we humans change planet earth, changing the aspects of environments that animals adapt and evolve to, therefore influencing the process of evolution. The environment influences evolution in an obvious and important way; aspects of an environment determine the adaptations that animals adopt. For exemple, if an environment is extremely wet, animals are more likely to develop webbed feet than and desert adaptations.
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