In the Origin of Species, what was the point of Darwin's discussion of the rudimentary legs of some snakes? They indicate descent from a species with fully developed legs. There must be some purpose they serve They must have evolved because of sexual selection. They would not be present in a domesticated species of snake. They do not present a problem for his theory because some species of snakes do not have rudimentary legs.
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Let’s consider a group of reptiles. Lizards, pythons and garter snakes. Pythons have vestigial hip bones, garter snakes do not. Why are these hip bones present? Most modern snakes lack hip bones. What does this tell you about the evolutionary history of snakes? What are the general homologies in these 3 organisms? What are the special homologies? Based on the special homologies, which of the 3 organisms is an outlier? Explain why. Which traits are derived traits? In the space below, create a simple clade with an unknown common ancestor, a lizard, a python, and a garter snake. Knowing that a derived trait is present in an organism, but was absent in the last common ancestor of the group being considered, check to be sure that each fork represents a divergence.
Supreeta N.
Darwin was often inspired by "freethinkers" in their passion for exploring ideas. Sometime between 1826 and 1827, Darwin wrote about mentor Robert Grant's admiration for evolutionist Jean-Baptiste Lamarck (who ironically shared similar scientific views as Darwin's grandfather); Grant's passion for Lamarck particularly intrigued Darwin. However, as you will read in the quote below, as it turns out Darwin's writings would argue against Lamarck's ideas. Lamarck's Hypothesis Very Different from that Now Advanced: The hypothesis of Lamarck that progressive changes in species have been produced by the attempts of animals to increase the development of their own organs and thus modify their structure and habits has been repeatedly and easily refuted by all writers on the subject of varieties and species. The giraffe did not acquire its long neck by desiring to reach the foliage of the more lofty shrubs and constantly stretching its neck for the purpose, but because any varieties which occurred among its ancestors with a longer neck than usual at once secured a fresh range of pasture over the same ground as their shorter-necked companions, and on the first scarcity of food were thereby enabled to outlive them. - Charles Darwin, Journal of the Proceedings of the Linnean Society. August 1858, London. Based on what you know about natural selection, and how evolution works, why does Darwin disagree with Lamarck; why is Lamarck explanation for traits demonstrated by species (described above) incorrect?
Adi S.
In the first chapter of On the Origin of Species, Darwin described how plants and animals have been bred to have desired characteristics. Darwin used artificial selection as an analogy to introduce how the process of natural selection works in nature. For example, dogs have an enormous range of body size and morphology. Nevertheless, these animals are a single species and their variation is due to artificial selection by humans. The common ancestor of all modern dogs looked like the modern wolf. If you had a population of wolves (and a lot of time) and wanted a Chihuahua, how would you create one? Identify and describe three or four specific traits of these animals that you would focus on in your plan. Make notes about your plan below:
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