Understanding Evolution

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Understanding Evolution

Evo 101

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The history of life: looking at the patterns

The central ideas of evolution are that life has a history — it has changed over time — and that different species share common ancestors.

Here, you can explore how evolutionary change and evolutionary relationships are represented in “family trees,” how these trees are constructed, and how this knowledge affects biological classification. You will also find a timeline of evolutionary history and information on some specific events in the history of life: human evolution and the origin of life.

Phylogeny showing relationship between sharks, ray-finned fish, amphibians, primates, rodents & rabbits, crocodiles, and diniosaurs & birds. Dinosaurs & birds and crocodiles share a common ancestor and two post-orbital fenestrae. Primates and Rodents & rabbits share a common ancestor and hair. The above four groups share another common ancestors and an amniotic egg. Amphibians and the previous four groups share a common ancestor and four limbs. Ray-finned fish and the previous five groups share a common ancestor and a bony skeleton. Sharks and the previous six groups share a common ancestor and vertebrae.

Teach your students about evolutionary relationships and phylogenetics:

Find additional lessons, activities, videos, and articles that focus on phylogenetics.

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An introduction to evolution

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The family tree