Outline The Impact On The Evolution Of Kangaroos

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BLUEPRINT OF LIFE 1. Evidence of evolution suggests that the mechanisms of inheritance, accompanied by selection, allow change over many generations outline the impact on the evolution of plants and animals of: * changes in physical conditions in the environment * changes in chemical conditions in the environment * competition for resources | Changes in physical conditions in the environment * These include natural conditions, such as temperature and the availability of water. * The Australia landmass has become drier over time and this has lead to changes in the species of kangaroos that are present today. Approximately 25 million years ago, Australia was considerably wetter than today with large areas of rainforest.…show more content…
The Darwin/Wallace theory of natural selection and isolation provides a mechanism for adaptive radiation. If groups of a population become isolated, the chances are high that they will encounter differing selective pressure as each environment evolves independently. Eventually, the two populations may have changed sufficiently that they become different species.For example, the biodiversity of flora and fauna that are unique to Australia are the result of adaptive radiation. When Australia separated from Gondwana, the organisms then evolved due to selective pressure from the changing environment. This supports the Darwin/Wallace theory of evolution.Adaptive radiation can lead to both divergent evolution and convergent evolution.Divergent evolution occurs when closely related species experience quite different environments and as a result vastly different characteristics will be selected. The species, over time, will evolve differently and will eventually appear quite different. For example, elephants are large plains-dwelling animals that are closely related to a small guinea pig-like animal called a…show more content…
Darwin, a naturalist is recognised mostly for his work in South America. Darwin sailed to the Galapagos Islands in the 1830’s on his ship called the beagle to observe the local flora and fauna. What he discovered was the beginning of his theory on natural selection. In Darwin’s observations he noticed that depending on the island and the habitat certain finches, from a common ancestor, portrayed different physical characteristics. The main characteristic Darwin concentrated was the shape of the finch’s beak. He noticed that the finches had acquired a certain shaped beak according to their niche. Darwin concluded that: * All these finches came from a common ancestor. * The finches then occupied individual niches. * These niches had an abundance of food. * Over time the finch’s evolved a beak according to the food they ate. * Darwin concluded by calling his theory, “The Theory of Natural Selection.”At the time of Darwin’s research another scientist by the name of Wallace was completing similar research in Indonesia. In Indonesia it has been documented that Wallace collected 125 660 species, producing over one thousand new species to science. Through his research he was coming to similar conclusions to that of Darwin. He sent his research and documentation to Darwin, who in turn subsequently produced the book The Origin of Species. Darwin and Wallace have both been attributed with the
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