Evidence Example

Explanation

Justification

Whale pelvic and hind leg bone

With the whale pelvic and hind leg bone it

suggests that at one point whales had walked
on land also that there was a fully function
walking system in place but gradually
degenerated over time. With the vestigial
organs scientist have been able to establish
the idea that both the pelvic and hind limbs are
also homologous with other animals.
First record is in 1990 from several scientist

Vestigial structures are not necessarily with a

function but but help show clear homology
between different mammals. The main
purpose of vestigial organs originally doesn't
have a needed purpose anymore. But it helps
establish evolutionary similarities between
animals.

Pentadactyl limb
Bat pentadactyl limb

The five digit limb. It is also the most widely

known homologous structure dealing with
evolution. It gives evidence that some animals
that have apparent similarities derive from a
common ancestor. It was first noted by Darwin
in "The Origins of Species" (1859).With the
bat, although the bones are now elongated
and thin it does in fact closely resemble the
humerus found in humans. But the muscle
attachment points is still closely related to
other animals that derive from the same
common ancestor.

A homologous structure is an example of an

organ or bone that appears in different
animals, underlining but descents from a
common ancestor. As with the bat wing and
the human humerus bone.

Horse pentadactyl limb

Though not visible to most eyes anymore the

horse also posses a pentadactyl limb. All of
the five digit components are still in place but
instead of appearing similar to what most
pentadactyl animals have with the horse it
seems as if every component fused together
to form a singe digit or "finger". The ancestor
of the horse which had three toes and one
fourth toe on the leg later on evolved into what
we see now. With the evolved hoof it allows
the animal to move further and faster than
before. First discovered by scientist.(Varying
dates)

With horse pentadactyl limb it can be classified

under the homologous structure because
initially the horses' ancestor did have the
structure of the pentadactyl or five digit limb
which could possibly share the same
ancestors as with the bat, whale, and earliest
form of humans. It just that overtime due to
varying environmental factors the horse came
in contact with, the initial 5 digit structure
began to fuse together.

Evidence Example

Explanation

Justification

Analogous structure
The penguin and fish

Animals such as penguins and fish both have

fin-like structures to help them navigate
through their aquatic environments. Though
both are totally different species it is apparent
that the fin evolved in these very different
species because it was shaped by each of
their environments rather than a common
ancestor. 1992

Analogous structures are found in the various

structures of different species having the same
appearance, structure or function but have
evolved separately yet do not share a common
ancestor as with both penguins and fish.

Fish

See above

See above

"Survival of the fittest" or Survival of the wealthiest

Darwin's iconic phrase "survival of the fittest" in today's time can indeed take on a different meaning. Referring to humans in the
modern period that we live in "survival of the fittest" no longer refers to the smartest or strongest individuals but refers to those who
have the most amount of wealth. The idea of Economic Social Darwinism emerged from competition even dating back to the early
19th century where the survival of wealthiest can be seen. The emerging industrial middle class and bankers began to hold a higher
survival rate than those inferior to them. Darwin's Theory of natural selection has then been placed aside as fierce competition
between humans became present. The phrase "survival of the fittest" has now been coined as a slogan of economic competition for
individuals across the globe.
Evidence regarding "survival of the fittest" pertaining to the wealthy can be seen throughout history. Many believe that social status
and economic prosperity played an even bigger role regarding genetics than that of natural selection.Take the wealthy for example
they tend to reproduce less in modern times especially in the United States where the birth rate is declining but the survival rate is
especially high with those who are wealthy. Those who are still in poverty do in fact tend to reproduce more but do not necessarily
reproduce healthy offspring (possibly due to not providing a stable environment which the offspring can be healthy because of
financial situations) causes high infant death rates within the United States as with other countries. The wealthy are able to also buy
medicines and afford medical treatments that would have other wised killed them off in comparison to the impoverished. Those who
are wealthy are able to tend to their personal needs more effectively because of being financially stable. So in today's society "survival
of the fittest" in a way can still relate to being one of the more healthier individuals in a population, but truly if an individual would

want to be the healthiest they can possibly be it would ultimately get down to their economic status. Also by having them see whether
or not they could afford specialized medical treatments, modern medicines, or even to the simplest necessities like food which all
come down to critical elements that now drive the forces of life. All in all Darwin's initial theory of "survival of the fittest" has now
taken on a new meaning regarding economic competition.

Sources:

http://anthro.palomar.edu/evolve/evolve_2.htm
http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonkblog/wp/2015/03/18/how-wealth-trumped-natural-selection-and-changed-our-ancestors/.
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/whats-behind-the-high-rate-of-infant-deaths-in-the-us/

Theories of evolution chart sources:

http://anthro.palomar.edu/evolve/evolve_2.htm
http://nadineholmes.weebly.com/m4---describe-the- evolution-of-the-pentadactyl-limb.
http://www.nytimes.com/1990/07/12/us/whales-hind-feet- show-up-in-fossils.html
http://www.explorebiology.com/pptLE/ 2007/34evolution_Evidence2007.ppt