“It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change” ~ Charles Darwin. Here, Charles Darwin refers to the theory of evolution, the process by which organisms develop new adaptations to their environment over generations, increasing their chance of surviving and reproducing. There are many pieces of evidence that support the theory of evolution. Evidence for evolution includes: symbiotic relationships, in which organisms evolve due to their dependency and interactions with other species as well as molecular biology or DNA evidence, where mutations in genetic switches and hawks genes can lead to evolutionary changes in the expression of traits.
Evolution is further supported through studying human evolution, specifically the fossils of our ancient hominid ancestors and sexual selection or reproduction, where preference by one gender determines the genes passed on to the next generation and sexual or asexual reproduction spawns genetically diverse or identical populations.One way evolution is exemplified is through symbiotic relationships, in which two species inhabit and interact in the same environment, in some cases experiencing evolutionary changes in their relationship with the other organism. The history and longevity of the shark demonstrates how one organism can affect the evolution of others in the same ecosystem:“The shark is the apex predator of the sea. Sharks have molded evolutions for 450 million years.
All fish species that are prey to the sharks have had their behavior, their speed, their camouflage, their defense mechanisms molded by the shark” ~ Paul Watson. Symbiotic relationships involve a dependent connection between separate species, in which at least one of the organisms depends on the other for survival. One example can be found when looking at the relationship between flowers and bees. A bee will fly from flower to flower gathering nectar, which is an essential food source for the survival of the hive. On the other hand, the flowers, which are unable to pollinate by themselves, are aided by the bees. The pollination of the bee as it flies from one flower to another enables the plant to produce another generation. The plant’s survival is linked to the pollination of the bee, and the bee’s survival is linked to the nectar of the plant. The relationship between these organisms has been naturally selected for because it is beneficial to both species, thus, these species have evolved dependency on one another to gain survival and reproductive advantages. A second example of evolution occurring through symbiotic relationships is the partnership between the clownfish and the sea anemone. The clownfish are able to reside in among sea anemones venomous tendrils among due to an adaptation allowing for biological immunity to the anemone’s toxin.
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Additionally, the clownfish gains valuable protect from predators as a result of evolving resistance to the paralyzing sting of the anemone. The anemone, in turn, benefits by consuming the clown fish’s waste and other scraps of food, as well as remaining healthy from the constant movement of the clownfish. A third and final example of evolution through symbiosis is extremely apparent when looking at the relationship between the deadly rough-skinned newt and the harmless garter snake. At first, scientists were perplexed by the rough-skinned newt, because they are one of the most poisonous organisms on the planet with no apparent reason for an excessive amount of toxins. However, these scientists have discovered that the garter snake is a predator to the newt and can consume an entire adult male. This snake has adapted to become resistant to the newt’s poison and, as a result, the newt has adapted to become even more poisonous, demonstrating that species evolve certain characteristics to be better suited to selective pressures in their environment and to co-exist with other animals. The dependency in these three relationships highlight that organisms will evolve reactive adaptations and symbiosis will be naturally.
References
- Smithsonian Magazine – Evidences of Darwin’s Theory of Evolution
- University of California, Berkeley – Evidence for Evolution
- American Museum of Natural History – How Do We Know about Human Evolution?
- Science JRank – Evolutionary Aspects of Symbiosis
- Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences – DNA Evidence and Evolutionary Changes
