1. Exploring Various Lines of Evidence for the Theory of Evolution
Evidence of Evolution
Exploring Various Lines of Evidence for the Theory of Evolution

2. Lines of Evidence
Comparative Anatomy
Embryology
Biogeography

3. Comparative Anatomy
Similarities in structures between species suggest they descended from a common ancestor.
Note the color-coded bones for the limbs of these 4 mammals – though different, they share many similar bones. Describe the function of each animal’s limb in your notes.

4. Embryology
Ernst von Baer (1828): the more closely related any two species are, the more similar their development as embryos.
In this game, you will look at pictures of embryos and guess what animal it is.
Is it a snake, chicken, possum, cat, bat or human?
Write your guess down in your notes, before you look at the answer!

5. Are you sure that’s your prediction?
Embryology
Are you sure that’s your prediction?
Snake!

6. Are you sure that’s your prediction?
Embryology
Are you sure that’s your prediction?
Bat!

7. Are you sure that’s your prediction?
Embryology
Are you sure that’s your prediction?
Cat!

8. Are you sure that’s your prediction?
Embryology
Are you sure that’s your prediction?
Chicken!

9. Are you sure that’s your prediction?
Embryology
Are you sure that’s your prediction?
Human!

10. Are you sure that’s your prediction?
Embryology
Are you sure that’s your prediction?
Possum!

12. Biogeography
Biogeography is the study of the large-scale or global pattern of distribution of species, including the history and causes of this distribution.
For this activity, you will explore the history and cause behind the distribution of marsupials.
Marsupial distribution across the globe:
Distribution today split on two sides of globe – how?
Review a few facts of the distribution and marsupials, as well as the history of the Earth, then formulate hypothesis behind distribution

13. Biogeography
Marsupials are a group of mammals that give birth to live young that develop in an outer pouch of the mother.
Marsupial distribution across the globe:
Distribution today split on two sides of globe – how?
Review a few facts of the distribution and marsupials, as well as the history of the Earth, then formulate hypothesis behind distribution
Bandicoot
Koala
Opossum
Sugar Glider
Kangaroo

14. Biogeography
There is no evidence of any marsupials able to swim across the ocean. No marsupial has been observed wandering across the Asian mainland. There does not appear to be any route of migration between the two populations of marsupials. How do you think some marsupials ended up halfway across the world from the others?

15. Biogeography
Continental Drift over millions of years – watch the movement of land masses

16. Continental Drift + Distribution of Marsupials
Biogeography
Continental Drift + Distribution of Marsupials

17. Biogeography
Similar reptilian Mesosaurus fossils found in both South America and Africa  evidence of continental drift
(couldn’t swim the ocean, no land bridge  continents once joined)

18. Biogeography
Similar reptilian Mesosaurus fossils found in both South America and Africa (couldn’t swim the ocean, no land bridge)
 evidence of continental drift (continents once joined)