Charles Darwin

1809-1882

Charles Darwin

Brief BiographyBorn: Feb. 12, 1809 in England

Joined the crew of the H.M.S. Beagle after college to sail around the world.

Studied plants and animals everywhere he went.

Video: Who Was Charles Darwin?http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vmphlbRhLu8&feature=player_embedded

The H.M.S. Beagle’s Voyage

The Galapagos Islands

The Galapagos IslandsDarwin’s observations from the…

Fossils are linked to still living organisms by similar structures.

Patterns of diversity: Species with similar features suited to different environments

Geographic Isolation: Each island had a unique climate that the animals and plants were specifically suited for.

The Galapagos IslandsGeographic Reproductive Isolation and the Giant Tortoise

Intermediate Shell

Dome-Shaped Shell

Saddle-Backed Shell

The Galapagos IslandsPatterns of Diversity: Galapagos Finches

Each type of Finch had a specific beak shape dependant on the environment and food sources available there.

Where is the most competition?

Hypothesize how each beak shape aids the bird in their specific diet?

Why are there so many variations?

Video: Welcome to the Galapagos Islands

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TzAvFtQv3oQ

Video: The Loneliest Animal on the Planthttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NR3Z4p5hspI&feature=player_embedded