Darwin´s Theory of Natural Selection and Primates

Darwin’s ideas about organic evolution were drawn from the existing forces of knowledge on evolution developed by Lyell, Malthus, and Lamarck. Although Darwin was not the first thinker about the concept of evolution, he was a revolutionary in developing a theory of evolution that was consistent. The distinctive element of the evolutionary theory conceived by Darwin is the way he viewed species. Darwin considered variation among individuals of a species to be natural. He further argued that variation, far from being problematic, actually provides the explanation for the existence of distinct species. Darwin adopted elements from Malthus’s theory on population growth and stated that only those members of a population that are capable†¦show more content†¦New York: Modern library. †¢ Ridley, Mark. Evolution. John Wiley sons, 2009. Print. GROUP-2 B) After gaining a clear understanding of natural selection and its prominence in the theory of evolution, the possibility of linking human origin with its ancestors (Primates) has become clearer. Human evolution is characterized by a number of morphological, developmental, physiological, and behavioral changes but most interestingly the basis for such changes is in understanding the origins of humans. The Primate order indeed serves as the starting point for human evolution. The Primates are an ancient and diverse Eutherian group. Although Primates are considered as tropical animals that live in forest setting, yet they inhabit many kinds of landscapes and live in widely diverse climates. Primates are divided into two groups, the Strepsirhini and the Haplorhini. Strepsirhines have long muzzle, wet noses, lower incisors forming a toothcomb, nocturnal, and have an immobile upper lip. Haplorhines are further divided into two major groups, the Platyrrhini and the Catarrhini. Platyrrhine s include the new world monkeys found mainly in the South and Central America. Catarrhines include the old world monkeys and Hominoidea. Homioidea are further divided into apes and humans. The following physical and behavioral characteristics identify Primates as a separate order ofShow MoreRelatedThe Evolution of Evolution1188 Words   |  5 Pagesa time before the world did not know the theory of evolution and the theories demonstrated by Sir Charles Darwin. Before the evolution, there were people who were subjected to religious ideologies of how mankind was created, they believed that the upper class was known to be â€Å"divine creatures†. However, the introduction of evolution leads the theory to be the base of biology and changes the minds of people all over the world. 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