Evidences of Evolution

Evidences of Evolution

Evolution can be better understood only by observing the interrelationship between the existing organisms and also relating the similarities with the extinct organisms. The inter relationship of the organisms is also supported by evidences from different branches of biology. These evidences support the concept that all organisms have evolved from common ancestors.

1. Evidences from Morphology and Anatomy

The comparative study of morphology and anatomy of animals, reveal that they possess common set of characteristics.

i. Homologous organs: The homologous organs are those which have inherited from common ancestors with similar developmental pattern in embryos. The fore limbs of mammals are homologous structures. A human hand, a front leg of a cat, flipper of a whale and a bat’s wing look dissimilar and adapted for different functions. Their mode of development and basic structure of bone are similar.

ii. Analogous organs: The analogous organs look similar and perform similar functions but they have different origin and developmental pattern. The function of the wings of a bat, the wings of a bird and wings of an insect are similar, but their basic structures are different.

iii. Vestigial organs: The degenerated and non-functional organs of animals are called vestigial organs. The same organs are found to be well-developed and functional, in some of the related forms. Some of the vestigial organs in man are vermiform appendix, nictitating membrane, caudal vertebra, coccyx etc.

iv. Atavism: The reappearance of ancestral characters in some individuals is called atavism. e.g. Presence of rudimentary tail in new born babies, presence of thick hair on the human body.

2. Evidences from Embryology

The study of comparative embryology of different animals, supports the concept of evolution. The embryos from fish to mammals are similar in their early stages of development. The differentiation of their special characters appear in the later stages of development.

Biogenetic law or Recapitulation theory was given by Ernst Haeckel. According to this theory, Ontogeny recapitulates Phylogeny. The stages of development of the individual animal repeats the evolutionary history of the entire race of the animal.

3. Evidences from Palaeontology

Palaeontology deals with the study of fossils. Leonardo da Vinci is called the Father of Palaeontology. The study of fossils helps us to understand the line of evolution of many invertebrates and vertebrates. Fossil records show that the evolution has taken a gradual process from simple to complex organisms. The origin of modern birds is supported by the evidences from palaeontology.

Archaeopteryx : Archaeopteryx is the oldest known fossil bird . It was an early bird-like form found in the Jurassic period.It is considered to be a connecting link between reptiles and birds. It had wings with feathers, like a bird. It had long tail, clawed digits and conical teeth, like a reptile.