Natural Selection

The sudden appearance of fully formed new organisms in distinct geological layers

A consistent lack of change in morphological features across multiple layers

Gradual changes over time observed within linked strata

Identical fossil remains found in both the oldest and newest strata examined

Island species are more susceptible to diseases, which drive rapid evolution.

The smaller populations on islands experience less genetic drift than mainland populations.

Greater biodiversity on islands increases competition, leading to unique adaptations.

Geographic isolation leads to reduced gene flow and distinct evolutionary pathways.

These structures reflect random occurrences with no relevance.

They show organisms evolved separately but acquired similar features due solely to functional needs.

They indicate common ancestry due to similar patterns despite serving different functions.

They prove convergent evolution occurring because unrelated species occupy equivalent niches.

High similarity suggests a recent common ancestor due to fewer accumulated mutations over time.

Completely unique sequences demonstrate that organisms belong to entirely separate domains of life.

Identical DNA segments imply parallel evolution without any genetic divergence occurring at all timescales

Low similarity indicates rapid speciation and adaptive radiation events occurred recently.

Analogous structures resulting from convergent evolution.

Behavioral adaptations to different environments.

Vestigial organs with no apparent function.

Homologous structures indicating common ancestry.

Presence of homologous structures during development stages that disappear before birth.

Diverse strategies organisms use to protect their embryos from predators.

Variation in gestation periods among different species.

Different rates at which embryos grow and develop into adults.

Glucose

Oxygen

Carbon dioxide

Water vapor

have one advantagous allele and one neutral allele

have both alleles but most fit

have none of the advantange alleles

have both alleles but less fit

Increased decomposition rates due to higher plant mortality.

Decreased atmospheric CO2 levels due to increased photosynthesis.

Reduced carbon sequestration in soil as herbivore populations decline.

Lowered carbon flux from the hydrosphere to the atmosphere.

An organism's current fitness level

The similarity of embryos in different species

The size of an organism's population

An organism's current adaptation to its environment