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Domain: Eukarya
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Primates
Family: Hominidae
Genus: Homo (Human)
Species: sapiens (Wise)
Paleontology - Fossils
1. Domain Eukarya
2. Domain Bacteria
3. Domain Archaea
Evolution of Life
Evolution of Life
Haeckel, 1879
In his “Evolution of Man.”
Paleontology - Fossils
Natural Selection
Charles Darwin and Alfred Wallace were the first
scientists to assemble a large body of convincing
observational evidence in support of evolution.
They proposed a mechanism for evolution which
Darwin called Natural Selection.
Paleontology - Fossils
Natural Selection
Main Points of Natural Selection
• Any given species produces more offspring than
can survive to maturity.
• Many variations exist among the offspring.
• Offspring must compete with one another for food
and habitat.
• Offspring with the most favorable characteristics
are more likely to survive (and thus reproduce).
• In this way, beneficial traits are passed on to the
next generation.
Paleontology - Fossils
The pelvis and femur (upper leg bone) of a whale are vestigial organs. Vestigial
organs may remain even though animals evolve and adapt to different modes of
life. Selective pressure for eliminating such organs is commonly weak, so the
vestige remains for relatively long periods.
Paleontology - Fossils
Similarity of Embryos