Evolution and Explanation
Stephen Matheson
20 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
Human chromosome two is
an end-to-end fusion of two
chimpanzee chromosomes
© 2007 ENSI (Evolution & the Nature of
Science Institutes) www.indiana.edu/~ensiweb
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