Darwin's Living Legacy

Darwin was not the first to suggest that life has evolved over time. In fact, there has been other researchers suggesting there theory. For instance, during 610-546 B.C. a Greek philosopher named Anaximander was one of the first to suggest that life-forms evolved from fish in the seas for this he went through a process of modification once established on land. Also, in the year 1735 Carl Linnaeus published his book, Systema Naturae in which he outlined a method for classifying all organisms. Darwin’s contribution was later acknowledged. Darwin’s most famous theory is called natural selection—stating evolutionary change derives through production of variation within generation and different survival of individuals with different [variation]
of variable characteristics. Individuals with dominant characteristics will have higher chances of survival and more opportunities to reproduce; and the offspring [of individuals] will benefit from advantageous characteristics. As a result over time, variants will extend through population.
I believe the theory of evolution provides adequate explanation for the diversity of the finches that Darwin collected [or] of other life in general.
This is due to, the explanation of: (1) The understanding that finches all seem to be branches of the same [root] species, basically the similar characteristics that would make them all finches; (2) The explanation of how differences are tied to reproductive isolation—the finches were on separate islands and could not interbreed with other finches in different islands; (4) The differences among finches are also tied to environment— the significance of how different environments would produce different adaptations for
survival.
Evolution and adaptation may be the reason for multiplication of species within Darwin’s finches on the Galapagos Islands. With Darwin’s study we are able to infer—how the process occurs and interpretation. The species of Darwin's finches have lived in the environment to which they have evolved. The main factor for evolutionary diversification are: environmental change, natural selection, and cultural evolution. This main change over time has been the beak size in finches. This is mainly due to adaptation to accommodate food process. Evolution was a main cause of beak size changing over time. In fact, scientist changed their prospective of evolutions progression over long period of time—scientist believed it was longer than there lifetime. Instead with the new discovery of finches and evolution, researchers learned otherwise. Finches became the ideal research subject when studying for evolution, because they evolved rapidly and are isolated from each other (different islands).
As I read the article of Darwin’s Living Legacy there was one important point made that was interesting to understand is how much finches impact the understanding of evolution up to this date.
It is important to acknowledge the discovery of Galapagos finches showing different beak shapes overtime to adapt to their surroundings and survival. On the Galapagos Islands, like I mentioned previously there were a variety of finches—varying in shape as well as size of their beaks. Different population of finches were adapting according to food sources around them. For instance, thin/ sharp beaks would eat insects, as oppose to large/sturdy beaks that would eat nuts. As Darwin’s study started to formulate, it took years for him to translate his understandings of the adaptation of finches to different conditions of the islands into a [respectable] theory of evolution. Darwin’s study on finches became a key to the development of his independent theory of
evolution.
A perfect example to demonstrate the significance finches have over the years is that biologist continue to seek experimental results to find reliability. The finches have been the ideal research subject for studying evolution, demonstrating finches is meaningful to evolution. The main reason behind its popularity over the years is because they are able to reproduce rapidly, are isolated within islands and rarely migrate.
Researchers, Peter R. Grant and B. Rosemary Grant of Princeton University have used the Galápagos to observe over 20,000 finches. Grant was able to observe how, not only beaks, but also body size can change through generation. The main cause is climate change shifting from rain to dry land. Darwin’s theory represents a great support for further research to be done.
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