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Understanding Evolution

Understanding Evolution

Your one-stop source for information on evolution

Understanding Evolution

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  • Evolution 101
    • An introduction to evolution: what is evolution and how does it work?
      • 1_historyoflife_menu_iconThe history of life: looking at the patterns – Change over time and shared ancestors
      • 2_mechanisms_menu_iconMechanisms: the processes of evolution – Selection, mutation, migration, and more
      • 3_microevo_menu_iconMicroevolution – Evolution within a population
      • 4_speciation_menu_iconSpeciation – How new species arise
      • 5_macroevo_menu_iconMacroevolution – Evolution above the species level
      • 6_bigissues_menu_iconThe big issues – Pacing, diversity, complexity, and trends
  • Teach Evolution
    • Lessons and teaching tools
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    • Misconceptions about evolution

    • Dealing with objections to evolution
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V

vestigial structure

Posted July 16, 2020

A feature that an organism inherited from its ancestor but that is now less elaborate and functional than in the ancestor. Usually, vestigial structures are formed when a lineage experiences a different set of selective pressures than its ancestors, and selection to maintain the elaboration and function of the feature ends or is greatly reduced.

vicariance

Posted July 10, 2020

A process in which a species’ range is divided even though the species has remained in place. This might happen through tectonic action, geologic activity (like the rise of a mountain range or shift in the course of a river), or other processes. Vicariance is usually contrasted with dispersal as a biogeographic mechanism.

vertebrate

Posted July 3, 2020

Any member of the animal clade Vertebrata. All vertebrates have a backbone that surrounds and protects the nerve cord, a character that they all inherited from their common ancestor. Vertebrates are a subgroup of the chordates. Modern vertebrates include fish, sharks, mammals, and amphibians.

variation

Posted July 3, 2020

Differences in genes, traits, or behaviors among members of a population, which may result in differences in reproductive success. When variation is genetic in origin, it may be acted upon by natural selection.

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