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Alternative Theories
Common Descent (1750)- idea that all beings on earth come from a common ancestor.
Descent with modification(1850)-idea that all beings are modified genetically from a common ancestor.
Darwin had believed in these ideas however they did not explain the specific adaptation certain creatures had with one certain environment. Examples are fur, longer necks to reach food, and specialized diets over generations. Traits are kept and discarded by nature. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0SCjhI86grU -
Darwin's correct statements.
Charles Darwin conceptualized evolution appropriately however he failed in determining genetic coding. Darwin successfully identified speciation in which each species adapts to their immediate surroundings. As species travel through environment's they become isolated from one group and create their own advantageous traits and eventually an entirely new species. He was able to prove these statement's when he had observed two different species of zebras within one herd grazing together. -
Theory of Evolution (1859)
Charles Darwin book "On the Origin of Species" explains the adaptation of favorable traits that aid the survival of species. Species with modern traits and intelligence could avoid danger's as well as provide enough to be able to procreate and carry on the species while inferior versions of said species bloodline would discontinue. These were just some of the ideologies he discovered on his 5-year voyage to South America. Humans are an example of evolution as we've evolved from hunter-gatherers -
Natural Selection (1859)
Charles Darwin delved into the loss of unfavorable traits. Favorable traits consist of camouflage, size, and behavior aid in the survival of species. Charles had observed different species of Zebras together which determined they acknowledged each other as allies. Zebra's also have a reason for their stripes, much speculation supports that these are to confuse predator, control body heat, and as a natural repellant to mosquitos. These Zebras can also run to 40MPH outrunning most predators. -
References
Garner, T., Than, K., & Taylor, A. P. (2022). What is Darwin’s Theory of Evolution? livescience.com. https://www.livescience.com/474-controversy-evolution-works.html
Darwin, evolution, & natural selection (article) | Khan Academy.
https://www.khanacademy.org/science/ap-biology/natural-selection/natural-selection-ap/a/darwin-evolution-natural-selection#:~:text=In%20the%201850s%2C%20Darwin%20wrote%20an%20influential%20and,can%20trace%20their%20descent%20to%20a%20common%20ancestor.