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Chapter 3: Darwinian Natural selection Destinations

Explore key concepts and research through these links to additional web resources.

3.1 Artificial Selection: Domestic Animals and Plants

• Artificial Selection in Dogs
  This site is sponsored by the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles Co and uses the diversity and breeding in Dogs to highlight examples of both natural and artificial selection.
  Keywords: artificial selection, museum, diversity

• Cabbage
  This is an article that reviews the concept of artificial selection using cabbage varieties as an example. It is a website sponsored by the Urban Forestry and Gardening Network in Ontario Canada.
  Keywords: cabbage, artificial selection, botany

3.2 Natural Selection: Darwin's Four Postulates

• Evolution Tutor
  EvoTutor is a great resource site devoted to understanding evolutionary processes via online simulations. Here you can explore Darwin's Four Postulate for natural selection and see how each factor can change the dynamics of a population.
  Keywords: evolution, simulations, natural selection

• Theories in Evolution
  In this article from American Science, the evolution of structural components is used to draw analogies to evolution of life. The theory of adaptation and how it relates to survival is explored.
  Keywords: artificial selection, museum, diversity

3.3 The Evolution of Flower Color in an Experimental Snapdragon Population

• Alife-Biotopia
  This simulation places artificial life forms in an "ecosystem" complete with food, parasites, and potential predators and mates. You can design your own life forms, or run the simulation with randomly generated forms. The interface allows you to track longevity, reproduction, and other features of the most "successful" forms. Be sure to read the instructions before you "play."
  Keywords: artificial life, simulations, survival

3.4 The Evolution of Beak Shape in Galápagos Finches

• Darwin's Finches
  At this website you can see and learn about the variety of finches that Darwin studied on the Galapagos Islands. Even today Darwin's finches are the subjects of intense study, and here you can learn about some of the ongoing investigations.
  Keywords: Darwin's finches, Galapagos Islands, research

3.5 The Nature of Natural Selection

• The Museum of Evolution and Artificial Life
  The Museum of Artificial Life offers three non-interactive simulations at different levels of complexity. Each is accompanied by a well-written explanation to help the viewer understand what's happening.
  Keywords: artificial life, simulations, evolution

3.6 The Evolution of Darwinism

• Voyage of the Beagle
  Read Darwin's own description of the Galápagos Archipelago in this on-line chapter from his book, The Voyage of the Beagle.
  Keywords: HS Beagle, evolution, archipelago

• What is Darwinism?
  "What is Darwinism?" by Joel Hanes from The Talk.Origins Archive summaries Darwin's major theories and provides a perspective and timeline for the evolution of Darwinism. Here you can begin to understand Darwinism as not just a theory but as a complex research program under continuous modification.
  Keywords: Darwinism, theory, continuous modification

3.7 The Debate over "Scientific Creationism" and "Intelligent Design Theory"

• Science and Creationism
  This site has links to resources about evolution and the nature of science. The link Statements from the National Academy of Sciences is one of many interesting links that highlights the current debates surrounding evolution and education.
  Keywords: creationism, science, evolution, education

• Talk Origins Archive
  Participants in the long-running talk.origins discussion forum developed the Talk.Origins Archive. This site includes links to resources presenting ideas and arguments on both sides of the debate between science and creationism. Most of the materials focus on the evidence in favor of evolution and the problems with creationist arguments.
  Keywords: evolution, creationism, debate