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Studying Darwin
Studying Darwin

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1 Evolution and natural and artificial selection

In this course, we describe the theory of evolution by natural selection as proposed by Charles Darwin in his book, first published in 1859, On The Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection, or The Preservation of Favoured Races in the Struggle for Life. We will look at natural selection as Darwin did, taking inheritance for granted, but ignoring the mechanisms underlying it.

Evolution through natural selection [Tip: hold Ctrl and click a link to open it in a new tab. (Hide tip)]

An introduction to biological systematics

Evolution: artificial selection and domestication

In the 18th and 19th century evolutionary biologists, including Darwin, emphasised the similarities between natural evolution and artificial ‘improvement’ of livestock under domestication. They believed that studying domesticated animals and plants could illuminate the mechanisms of natural evolution.