Evolution and Explanation

Stephen Matheson20 October 2010

Explain.

The tree

of life

The tree

of life

Explain.

Dorudon and Basilosaurus (P. Gingerich web site, University of Michigan)

Dorudon and Basilosaurus (P. Gingerich web site, University of Michigan)

Ambulocetus natans (H. Thewissen website, Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine)

Nature 440, 757-763 (6 April 2006) A Devonian tetrapod-like fish and the evolution of the tetrapod body plan. Edward B. Daeschler, Neil H. Shubin and Farish A. Jenkins, Jr

Biogeography and common ancestry

• Marsupials in Australia

• Finches in the Galapagos Archipelago

• Drosophilids in Hawaii

Comparative anatomy and common ancestry

Genetics and common ancestry

• Shared chromosomal structure: synteny and chromosomal fusion

• Genetic fossils: pseudogenes

• Mobile genetic elements

© 2007 ENSI (Evolution & the Nature of Science Institutes) www.indiana.edu/~ensiweb

Human chromosome two is an end-to-end fusion of two chimpanzee chromosomes

Explain.

It is absolutely safe to say that if you meet somebody who claims not to believe in evolution, that person is ignorant, stupid or insane (or wicked, but I'd rather not consider that).

– Richard Dawkins

from a review of Blueprints: Solving the Mystery of Evolution, in the New York Times, 9 April 1989

Find a safe place to stand. Good night.

Evolution happening

• Teosinte to corn

• Copy number variation and amylase

• Darwin’s finches

• Darwin’s tomatoes