At the age of 26, Charles Darwin, a British naturalist, set foot on the archipelago situated about 600 miles (~970 kilometers) west of Ecuador, right on the Equator. This was during the Beagle’s five-year journey to study the South American coastline and to take longitudinal measurements globally. Darwin’s brief five-week stay in the Galápagos Islands sparked the scientific revolution now associated with his name.
The global expedition of the HMS Beagle, spanning from 1831 to 1836
Originating from volcanic activity in recent geological history—with the eldest of the islands surfacing just three million years ago—the Galápagos Islands caught Darwin’s attention as a unique environment offering life a fresh start. While there, he started noticing fascinating patterns in how species were distributed and their distinct characteristics.
On the Galápagos Islands, Darwin discovered that neighboring islands hosted alike yet distinct finch species. He observed that each species had adaptations perfect for its habitat and function. For example, finches consuming large seeds generally had robust, broad beaks, whereas those feeding on insects possessed slender, pointed ones. Additionally, while the finches and other animals on the Galápagos resembled species from the neighboring Ecuadorian mainland, they differed significantly from species located in other parts of the globe.
Darwin’s finches, 1845
Throughout his journey and the subsequent years, Darwin formulated a theory to elucidate the patterns he witnessed during his travels. In his book On the Origin of Species published in 1859, he introduced his pivotal concepts: evolution and natural selection.
According to Darwin’s theory, species possessing traits that enhance their adaptability to their surroundings are more likely to survive and reproduce, passing those beneficial traits to their offspring. Conversely, species with less advantageous traits may not survive long enough to pass them on. As a result, over time, the beneficial traits become predominant within the population, leading to evolutionary changes. Darwin proposed that through this process of natural selection, a wide array of species with genetic variations could emerge from a common ancestor.
Imagine a group of foxes with varying fur colors, some white and some red, that have recently migrated into the snow-covered Arctic tundra. Foxes with pure white fur masterfully camouflage against the snow, allowing them to stealthily hunt rodents and birds. However, their red-tinted counterparts aren’t so lucky, often missing out due to their visibility. Over time, the white-furred foxes flourish and pass down their beneficial trait to the next generations. As a result, the majority of foxes in this Arctic region eventually have white fur, providing a clear example of evolution at work.
Carbon-printed photograph of Charles Darwin, 1868
Interestingly, Darwin was unaware of the specific mechanism responsible for the inheritance of traits; he had no knowledge of genetics or genetic mutations. Subsequent research by geneticists filled in these gaps, offering both a mechanism and additional support for his theory.
Mutations in the DNA of gametes, the sperm or egg cells, lead to physical and behavioral changes crucial for natural selection. These mutations, which can arise from errors in DNA replication, chemical exposure, or radiation, are often harmful or neutral. However, occasionally a beneficial mutation emerges, and if it does, it’s more likely to persist in future generations. Through this mechanism, natural selection shapes evolution, amplifying advantageous mutations and discarding the detrimental ones.
The phrase “survival of the fittest” is often used to summarize the theory, but it can be misleading. In this context, “fittest” doesn’t refer to physical strength or agility, but rather to a species’ capacity to survive and reproduce.
“It is not the strongest of the species that survives, not the most intelligent that survives. It is the one that is the most adaptable to change.”
Natural selection can lead to subtle changes in a species, like shifts in color or size, termed “microevolution.” Over time, with numerous changes, this can result in the emergence of new species, or “macroevolution.” This mechanism transformed dinosaurs into birds, amphibious mammals into whales, and a shared ancestor of apes and humans into modern-day people.
The Theory of Evolution is one of the most well-supported theories in science, with evidence coming from various disciplines including genetics, paleontology, and geology. For example, genetic studies highlight DNA similarities across different species, while fossils chronicle evolutionary developments over time. In recent years, we’ve uncovered more transitional species, often termed “missing links.” Notable discoveries include the 1994 find of Ambulocetus natans, often described as a “walking-swimming whale,” and the 2007 discovery of Indohyus, an extinct aquatic mammal believed to bridge the gap between hoofed animals like hippos and whales.
Editors’ finds
Book: The Hidden Life of Trees: What They Feel, How They Communicate: Discoveries From a Secret World by Peter Wohlleben
Documentary: My Octopus Teacher (2020)
Words of wisdom
“If I had my life to live over again, I would have made a rule to read some poetry and listen to some music at least once every week.” —Charles Darwin
“The love for all living creatures is the most noble attribute of man.” —Charles Darwin
“Ignorance more frequently begets confidence than does knowledge: it is those who know little, not those who know much, who so positively assert that this or that problem will never be solved by science.” —Charles Darwin
“Intelligence is based on how efficient a species became at doing the things they need to survive.” —Charles Darwin
Bibliography
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