Darwin and Wallace: Pioneers of Evolutionary Theory

Charles Darwin

Key figure in developing evolution theory.

Alfred Russel Wallace

Co-discoverer of natural selection with Darwin.

Natural Theology

Belief system emphasizing divine creation of species.

Fixity of Species

Idea that species do not change over time.

William Paley

Philosopher associated with natural theology concepts.

HMS Beagle

Ship that took Darwin on his pivotal voyage.

Geological Theories

Concepts explaining Earth's changes over long periods.

Charles Lyell

Geologist who influenced Darwin's thinking on gradual change.

Galapagos Islands

Location where Darwin studied diverse species variations.

Evolution by Natural Selection

Theory explaining species adaptation through survival advantages.

Fossils

Remains of ancient organisms providing evidence of evolution.

Specimens

Samples collected by Darwin for comparative analysis.

Beetles

Darwin's initial interest before studying broader biology.

Divine Creator

Belief in a God who created all life.

Short Creation

Natural theology's claim of a 6,000-year-old Earth.

Perfect Design

Belief that each species was divinely designed.

Giant Sloth

Fossil species resembling modern sloths discovered by Darwin.

Giant Capybara

Fossil species similar to modern capybaras found.

Giant Armadillo

Fossil species related to contemporary armadillos.

Diverse Mockingbirds

Species variation observed by Darwin in Galapagos.

Fieldnotes

Darwin's meticulous observations recorded during his voyage.

Zoology of the Voyage

Darwin's published work from 1838 to 1843.

Natural Selection

Mechanism of evolution favoring survival of the fittest.

Thomas Robert Malthus

Proposed population growth exceeds food supply.

Geometric Population Growth

Population increases exponentially over time.

Arithmetic Food Supply Growth

Food supply increases linearly over time.

Descent with Modification

Species evolve through gradual changes over generations.

Artificial Selection

Humans breed organisms for desired traits.

Pigeon Fancying

Breeding pigeons to study artificial selection.

On the Origin of Species

Darwin's 1859 book detailing evolution theory.

Joint Letter

Collaboration between Darwin and Wallace on natural selection.

Victorian Gentleman-ness

Darwin's life as a family man and socialite.

Fossil Record

Historical evidence of species evolution over time.

Transitional Forms

Missing links between different species in evolution.

Variation in Traits

Differences among individuals in a population.

Survival of the Fittest

Only the best-adapted individuals reproduce successfully.

Competition for Resources

Struggle among organisms for limited resources.

Barnacle Studies

Darwin's research on barnacles to refine his theory.

Finches

Key species used by Darwin to illustrate evolution.

Malthusian Theory

Population growth leads to inevitable famine.

Evolutionary Synthesis

Integration of various biological disciplines into evolution.

Difficulties of Natural Selection

Challenges Darwin acknowledged in his evolutionary theory.

Transformism

Concept of species changing over time.

Evidence-based Theory

Theory supported by empirical data and observations.

Origin

Evolution of natural history into biology.

Darwin

Writer whose fame eclipsed Wallace's.

Wallace

Naturalist who developed evolution theories.

Malthus

Economist whose ideas influenced Wallace's theories.

Wallace's Line

Invisible line separating Asian and Australian species.

Biogeography

Study of organisms and geological formations.

Social Darwinism

Application of Darwinism to human society.

Industrial Revolution

Period of radical change in England.

Specimen Collection

Wallace's method to pay off debts.

Southeast Asia

Region where Wallace continued his work.

The Malay Archipelago

Wallace's major published work in 1869.

Greed and Individualism

Issues Wallace aimed to address through evolution.

Observation

Key method in early natural history.

Theory Testing

Focus of modern biology over mere observation.

Rich Background

Darwin's financial stability aided his research.

Fire Incident

Wallace lost specimens when his boat sank.

Lifeboat Rescue

Wallace survived ten days after the shipwreck.

Evolutionary Ideas

Shared by Darwin and Wallace with the public.

Public Acceptance

Natural selection met with general approval.