LECTURE 1

Concept of Evolution, Theories and

Evidences for Evolution
Evolution

• Continuity of life with constant modification accumulated through

time.
• Monophyletic genealogy
• Divergent evolution
• Convergent evolution
Evolution at Different Scales

• Small-scale evolution- Changes in frequency of genes in a small

population (microevolution).
• Large-scale evolution- Descent of different species from one
common ancestor (macroevolution).
 Development of the Idea of Evolution

Greek Theories
• Thales (624-548 BC)- Aquatic Origin of Life
• Anaximander (611-547 BC)- The Primordial Soup Theory. The earliest
evolutionist.
• Xenophanes (576-480 BC)- Used fossils to support the remains of organisms in
the past. Dry land used to be under water.
Development of the Idea of Evolution

Greek Theories
• Empedocles (504-433 BC)- Father of Evolutionary Idea.
• Higher forms of life evolved gradually
• Imperfect forms were replaced by perfect form
• Plant life came first before animals
• Perfect forms were produced by the extinction of imperfect forms
• Organisms are formed with fire, air, water, earth and influenced with love and hate.
• Aristotle (384-322 BC)- Organisms constitute the Ladder of Life. Introduced the concept
of Teleology
• Epicurus (341-271 BC)- Plants appeared first before animals then humans last.
Development of the Idea of Evolution

Pre-Darwinian Times
• Francis Bacon (1561-1626)- Variations causes new species
to arise (i.e. bats are derived from birds and quadrupeds)
• Jan Swammerdam (1637-1680) – Preformation Theory.
Refuted by Casper Friedrich Wolf (1759).
• Demaillet (1656-1738)- Terrestrial forms evolved from
marine forms but some forms failed (men from mermen).
Used fossils as evidence.
Development of the Idea of Evolution

Pre-Darwinian Times
• Maupertius (1698-1759)- Hereditary materials are transmitted from both mother and father.
Hereditary particles can be changed by environment. First to propose general theory of evolution.
• Bonnet (1706-1793)- Embodiment Theory or Encasement Theory. Discovered parthenogenesis in
frogs.
• Linnaeus (1707-1778)- Species are created by God and are immutable.
• Buffon (1707-1778)- Inheritance and environment plays a role in structural modification of
organisms. This is the first theory supporting organic evolution.
• Erasmus Darwin (1731-1802)- Inheritance of acquired characteristic is transmitted to offspring.
Development of the Idea of Evolution

Pre-Darwinian Times
• Jean Baptiste Pierre Antoine de Monet Chevalier de Lamarck (1744-
1829)- Theory of Inheritance of Acquired Characteristics (Lamarckism)
• Use and Disuse (i.e vestigial organs)
• Effect of Environment
Lamarckism
Lamarckism

Experiments supporting Inheritance of Acquired Characteristics

• William Lawrence Tower (1906) - Exposed potato beetles to higher
temperature and humidity resulting to color variations that were passed on
to offspring.
Lamarckism

Criticisms
• Size reduction is also an indication of evolution (i.e. Angiosperms developing tinier
seeds than gymnosperms).
• New organs develop when organisms feel their need is false (i.e. Humans have yet
developed wings despite their desire to fly).
• Changes caused by the environment may not be inherited by offspring.
• Mendel’s law or inheritance disputed the Theory of Acquired Inheritance. Changes in
an organisms lifetime is not passed to the next generation.
Development of the Idea of Evolution

Pre-Darwinian Times
• George Cuvier (1769-1832)- Father of Paleontology and Comparative
Anatomy. Proponent of the Theory of Catastrophism. Fossil records show
proof of a catastrophe that destroyed old and created new life.
• Charles Lyell (1832) and James Hutton (1785)- Theory of
Uniformitarianism. Geological forces results to formation of fossil-
bearing rock strata.
Development of the Idea of Evolution

Darwin’s Time
• Charles Darwin (1809-1882)- Theory of Origin of Species by Natural
Selection in 1859. Formulated co-independently with Alfred Russell
Wallace (1858).
• Theory of Pangenesis: Each gamete represents minute replica of the parent’s body.
• Theory of Sexual Selection: Sexual dimorphism is caused by reproductive
competition .
• Artificial Selection: Identification and selection of desirable traits.
Darwinism
Darwinism

• Phenotypic variations of species are

evident on on geographical
variations.
• The concept of competition was used
as basis for the Theory of Natural
Selection (i.e. Darwin’s finches)
Darwinism

Basic Postulates
1) Individuals are variable
2) Variations are passed down
3) More offspring are produced than can survive
4) Survival and reproduction are not random
5) The history of earth is long
Darwinism

Evidences Supporting Darwinism

• Artificial Selection: Breeding to obtain best traits.
• Mimicry and protective coloration: Achieved by gradual changes
• Co-evolution: Evolution of two interacting species (i.e. the evolution of
pollinators and angiosperms)
Darwinism vs. Lamarckism
Development of the Idea of Evolution

Darwin’s Time
• August Weismann (1892)- Theory of Germplasm.
• Cytoplasm differentiates into germplasm and somatsoplasm. Germplasm is responsible for
the continuity of generation. Germplasm is immortal and is composed of id.
• Presence of Determinants: characteristics of organisms are kept in small physiological units
(earliest concept of genes).
• Hugo de Vries (1848-1935)- Theory of Mutation. New species can arise from
mutation/saltation (discontinuous) of characteristics. Mutation can be
independent of environment. (Observed variations in Oenothera sp)
Mutation Theory

Postulates
1) Mutations are sudden, large, and distinct heritable changes and are not directional
2) All organisms have inherent tendencies to mutate
3) Individuals showing mutations are called mutants
4) Mutations are full-pledged and does not appear in stages
5) Mutations can appear in different members of the same population or same species resulting to new species
6) Mutations are indetermined (useful or harmful)
7) Mutations are subjected to natural selection
8) Mutations appear again and again from one generation to the other
9) Evolution by mutation are discontinuous
10) Mutation theory can explain vestigial organs
11) Mutations are common occurrence

Remember: The mutation theory was conceptualized when society has yet to understand the genetics of mutation.
Development of the Idea of Evolution

Darwin’s Time
• Ernst Haeckel (1811)- Ontogeny
Recapitulates Phylogeny. Each
successive developmental stage
represents one of the adult forms that
appeared in evolutionary history.
Proposed the term “orthogenesis”.
Development of the Idea of Evolution

Darwin’s Time
• Moritz Wagner (1813-1887)- Isolation Theory. Barriers of same organisms
can lead to isolation and prevention of interbreeding.
Development of the Idea of Evolution

Modern Evolution Theory (Synthetic Theory)

• Theodosius Dobzhansky (1900-1975)- Genetic changes play role in evolution
of selected Drosophila population.
• John Huxley (1924) and Ernst Mayr (1924-1943)- Explained the origin of
variation in higher animals.
• Ronald A. Fisher (1890-1962), JBS Haldane (1892-1964), and Sewall
Wright (1889-19988)- Founder of Population Genetics. Developed
mathematical theory for change in gene frequency under natural selection.
Development of the Idea of Evolution

Synthetic Evolution Theory

Themes:
• Variation in gene pool cause genetic variability
• Isolation or barriers can cause variability
• Natural selection and genetic drift can cause variation
Causes of Genetic Variability

• Chromosomal aberrations (Deletion, Duplication, Inversion,

Translocation)
• Changes in Numbers of Chromosomes
• Haploidy
• Polyploidy
• Aneuploidy
• Hybridization
 Timeline
Synthetic Theory: Neo-Darwin
Greek Period
Pre-Darwin and Darwin Period Period
* Empedocles
* Francis Bacon * Dobzhansky
* Aristotle
* Jan Swammerdan * Huxley
* Epicurus
* Demaillet * Mayr
* Maupertius * Fisher
* Bonnet * Haldane
* Linnaeus * Wright
* Buffon
* Erasmus
* Lamark
* Cruvier
* Hutton and Lyell
* Darwin and Wallace
* Weismann
* De Vries, Haeckel, Wagner
Assignment:

Out of the many theories of evolution presented (except Lamarckism and Darwinism), which of them are
still relevant in today’s Evolutionary Biology standpoint? What are their flaws. (Send in your respective
Google Drive)
Quiz

1. What type of evolution: Changes of wing color of a species of moth as a reaction to soot-covered birch trees
during industrial revolution?

2. Developed the theory wherein the cell contains minute human forms that expand/stretches as we grow older.

3. Created the primordial soup theory.

4. Theory of Darwin similar with Swammerdam.

5. Developed the Theory of Isolation.

Answers

1. Microevolution
2. Jan Swammerdam
3. Anaximander
4. Theory of Pangenesis
5. Moritz Wagner