Evolution

Evolution is among the most substantiated concepts in science and is the unifying theory of biological science. Charles Darwin co-originated, with Alfred Russel Wallace, the theory of evolution by natural selection. His masterwork, the 1859 "Origin of Species," offered ample evidence for evolution having occurred, as well as the first strong explanation for its mechanism, natural selection. Modern evolutionary theory incorporates these concepts: species change over time; genetic mutations are responsible for the changes; individuals with beneficial genetic mutations will survive preferentially compared with their competitors, in a process known as natural selection; those successful individuals' more numerous offspring will spread the beneficial genetic constructs throughout the population; when enough genetic changes reproductively isolate a population, that population has become a new species. Here you'll find news and information on evolution and the battle with proponents of so-called creation science.

Latest about Evolution

Here we see a volcanic hydrothermal vents on the ocean floor. Hot material is rising from it.

What energy source sparked the evolution of life?

By JoAnna Wendel published

Leading theories suggest that the first energy used by life was either from the sun or from geothermal heat and chemistry at the bottom of the ocean.

Fluffy yellow chick hatching out of brown egg on a black background.jpg

Which came first: the chicken or the egg?

By Joanna Thompson published

Most biologists will answer confidently when asked 'which came first, the chicken or the egg?" but the answer may depend on what type of egg you're talking about.

Tetrapod evolution, illustration. We see a fish in the water, followed by a greenish amphibian crawling onto the sandy shore. Next, we see a lizard-like creature walking away.

Does evolution ever go backward?

By Michael Dhar published

In regressive evolution, organisms lose complex features and can appear to evolve "in reverse." But evolution doesn't retrace its steps, experts said.

a micrograph of an ancient microbe with a spherical main cell body and bumpy tentacles that extend outwards in all directions

Massive tentacled microbe may be direct ancestor of all complex life

By Nicoletta Lanese published

Scientists successfully grew Asgard archaea in the lab and took detailed images.

The neanderthal's first molar from which the clues were found.

Neanderthals were 'top-level carnivores,' tooth analysis suggests

By Ben Turner last updated

The tooth's owner was primarily a meat eater.

Evolution Predictable Everywhere in the Universe, Scientist Says

By Ker Than last updated

If the history of life could be rewound and replayed, many of the same innovations would reappear. What’s that mean for life on other planets?

Teachers: Creationism Belongs in Science Class

By Robert Roy Britt last updated

UK survey: 29 percent of teachers there think creationism and intelligent design should be taught as science.

The hominin wall at the Natural History Museum of Utah in Salt Lake City.

What is Darwin's Theory of Evolution?

By Ker Than, Ashley P. Taylor, Tom Garner last updated

Reference In 1859, Charles Darwin published his ideas that humans and animals change over time. But what is the Theory of Evolution?

Reference

Origin of Life: What Are the Odds?

By Robert Roy Britt last updated

How life began is one of life's great mysteries.

Talk, Talk, Talk: One Thing We Do Better than Apes

By Meredith F. Small last updated

Chat is what humans are all about.

123456789Archives