Variation Over Time: The Connections Between Different Species

There are connections between different species. Scientists of our day have spent a great deal of time categorizing species into a variety of sub-species, genera, orders, classes, and kingdoms. There must be similarities that scientists have agreed upon if they have decided that they would group them. We places species of similar body or bone structures near each other in their organization. These are perceived connections, regardless of our perspective on the origination of these species. The difference between varieties within a species and species themselves are similar. While different pigeons may have different beak structures and colors, they are still considered to be the same species. While there is a larger difference, the same
can be said about different species. While they may have some differences, they still have similar bone structure and organs. Labelling something a species is very arbitrary in this way. If a variety of something was different enough, would it not just be considered a different species? In this way, there really are not hard lines drawn between species, rather a continuous spectrum. All life shares the same “seed”. If there is no lines drawn between species, could not similar species have come from the same ancestors? Once the varieties of that ancestor have begun to differ enough, the new descendants would each be considered a new species. This mechanism has been at work for millions of years. This process being repeated for millions of years would create thousands of unique species which all share the same ancestor.
On Difficulties with the Theory

Many people have difficulties with this theory. After years of believing something is true, it is often hard to give something a fresh look without having predispositions of how things should be. Many people, in the past, had found a way to relate their science to their belief in God, and now any challenge to their way of science is viewed as a challenge of their beliefs. Given a fresh look and an open mind, people will find that what Darwin is suggesting is rational and does not prompt any rejection of doctrine. Transitional forms are non-existent in the fossil record. Just as looking in the ocean for dogs or looking for sloths in Africa will yield no results, continuing to look for transitional forms of fossils where other fossils are found will find nothing. Seeing as the “decent with modification” took place over millions of years, it is unlikely that fossils of these transitional forms which existed millions of years ago would be available in the traditional places. The fossil record is incomplete and until such discoveries are made in new places, such as the deep sea bed, it would be inaccurate to say that the fossils are “nowhere to be found”. Extremely intricate organs, such as the eye, can even be explained. While many believe that it would be impossible for natural selection to be able to bring about such organs as the eye, those same people must not grasp the incredibly long amount of time it takes for things to develop. Transmutation takes place over the course of millions of years, not our lifetime. When we see an organ, such as the eye, it is hard for us to comprehend how something so perfect could develop. Flying squirrels use their tails to fly. Most animals do not use their tails for that particular purpose. However, the flying squirrel uses its tail to its advantage. What we may be witnessing is the flying squirrel in an intermediate form, although we will never live long enough to see how the tail continues to adapt.
On Evidence and Support

Extinct species are replaced by modern ones. (Variation over time) Variation over time is extremely important to Darwin’s theory.
This variation over time must happen in order for these species to survive when there is “survival of the fittest”. What Darwin noticed and documented on his journeys was the fossil record in countries where specific animals only exist. In the Canary Islands at St. Jago, Darwin found fossilized invertebrates in the rocks on the beach. This same beach was full of this same species of invertebrate, a modern version. Off of the coast of Argentina, Darwin found the outer shell of an extinct form of armadillo. Armadillos currently litter that area. He also has found the bones of extinct giant ground sloths. You cannot find a sloth at any other place in the world. What does this point to? The fact that there was evidence of an extinct version of the same species of an animal that could not have come from anywhere else points to the fact that the animals in those regions must have changed over time. One species replaces another over a geographic region. If a species is able to replace another, that would point to the fact that there is evidence for a struggle for existence and that only those best equipped for that geographic region would be able to survive. “Survival of the fittest” would be accurate. Darwin found that the common rhea found in northern Argentina was replaced south of the Rio Negro by a smaller, browner species. Varieties of a species can also display geographic
replacement. If in a nearby distance there were a lot of varieties of a similar species, it would point to the fact that they have common ancestors. It would also point to the fact that these varieties continue to develop into varieties that are more equipped for their particular location. While traveling islands, Darwin noticed that there were slightly different forms of mockingbirds and tortoises on the different islands that were each better equipped to the environment on their specific island. Embryos of different species look the same.
It is interesting to note that embryos of very different species look very similar. Despite the fact that they end up developing into very different things, the beginnings of life look the same. This fact points to them having a common ancestor. If God created each of the animals separately, why would all of the embryos look the same? While natural selection advocates should not be telling God how to operate, the same should go for natural theologians who want to place God in a box and not provide him an opportunity to operate outside of their understanding. Some species have organs that they don’t use anymore. If each species was created individually, it would seem that they should not have organs that they do not utilize. Rather, these rudimentary organs have been passed on by their ancestors who had a use for them. Most features of a species are going to either help them better survive or become an impediment to their survival. However, these rudimentary organs are neutral in their effect on survival. This fact would cause those organs to continue to exist, regardless of the fact that they are no longer used.
On Science

The stage was set for
Darwin. Darwin was not the first person to ever suggest evolutionary theory. In fact, Darwin’s own grandfather, Erasmus had first suggested that “all warm-blooded animals have arisen from one living filament”. Erasmus also suggested that “the strongest and most active animal should propagate the species, which should thence become improved”. Darwin also used the theory of “struggle of existence” from Malthus. While aboard the Beagle, Darwin poured over Lyell’s Principles of Geology. Lyell’s work introduced the idea of uniformitarianism, or that the earth was shaped by slow-moving forces that were still in operation today. Knowledge by experience. Darwin did not always have the perspective that he currently holds. He held a view very similar to the natural theologians of the day. However, what he encountered on his journey aboard the Beagle convinced him that the world worked a different way. As Darwin traveled the world, he continued to make observations. Darwin had taken in so much new information that began to point at natural selection. Finally, he began to make several inductions based on the information of the world around him. A hypothesis for the whole world to debate. Time will only tell if Darwin made one of the greatest discoveries of the human race. However, what he has done has presented an argument for the way the world works. This hypothesis can now be evaluated by the greatest philosophers and tested by the greatest scientists. Darwin has never pretended that his theories were perfect. Rather, he has opened up perhaps the greatest discussion of our time. Isn’t that what makes his work great?