M

F

Theridion grallator Geospiza fortis

Geospiza fortis

Geospiza magnirostris

Industrial Melanism

Peppered moth, Biston betularia

Survival and

reproduction are NOT random

(4)

Industrial Melanism

Peppered moth, Biston betularia

(3) Some individuals are more

successful at surviving and reproducing than are

other individuals.

(1) There is variation

among individuals

(2) At least some of the

variation is heritable and is passed from

one generation to the next.

The most appropriate

phenotype is contingent on the

environment

Not a single individual changed

(adapted) from white black

or vice versa

Populations adapt, not individuals

Polluted environments

Unpolluted environments

Triclosan (biocide) incorporated into all sorts of products

Triclosan (biocide) incorporated into all sorts of products

+ triclosan NO triclosan

X 10 participants

with existing ones in a way that would have

made Rube Goldberg proud.”

“Had we been crafted for extended operation, we would have fewer flaws capable

of making us miserable in our later days. Evolution does not work this way, however. Instead it cobbles together new features by tinkering

– Olshansky et al. 2001

Scientific American

Passing man (A) slips on banana peel (B) causing him to fall on rake (C). As handle of rake rises it throws horseshoe (D) onto rope (E) which

sags, thereby tilting sprinkling can (F). Water (G) saturates mop (H). Pickle terrier (I) thinks it is raining, gets up to run into house and upsets

sign (J) throwing it against non-tipping cigar ash receiver (K) which causes it to swing back and forth and swish the mop against window pane,

wiping it clean.