Patrisha Carter

Mrs. Sintich
AP Biology
Evolution Project P1
12 September 2015

Evidence Example 1
Evolution of Humans (Neanderthals [Homo neanderthalensis ]to Present-Day
Humans [Homo sapiens])
Description of Evidence/Brief History:
It wasnt until 1856 that a German scientist, Johnann Karl Fuhlrott, recognized the
skull of a Neanderthal as being that of an early human. However, several years
later, scientist discovered that fossils found in Belgium (1829) and Gibraltar (1848)
were the same species as the previous specimen. All skull specimens had distinct
features, such as, angled cheek bones and big noses with wide nostrils. Bodily
skeletons of the Neanderthals revealed their short, stocky build compared to
modern day humans. Scientists believed these characteristics allowed this species
to live in cold environments because their compact bodies made it easier for them
to conserve body heat. Huge noses were probably used to humidify and warm cold,
dry air. Their skulls also tended to be larger than that of present day humans.
Excavated tools discovered in the same area as Homo neanderthalensis fossils
revealed their sophistication. Neanderthals wore clothing, built shelters, and used
controlled fires. Evidence found also supports purposeful burial of their dead and
offerings to mark their graves like present day humans do today. When comparing
each specimens DNA to the other, they have a 99.5% similarity.
Justification of Theory:
Scientists believe that Neanderthals evolved into present day humans due to
climate changes resulting from travel and geographical differences. Human fossils
enable researchers to study changes such as, brain and body size, diet, and the
movement of each species. Most changes seem to be caused by environmental
factors, adaptations over a period of time to better suite the environment.
Evidence Example 2
Evolution of Sharks (New fossil species lead to the Great White Shark)
Description of Evidence/Brief History:

In November 2012, the discovery of a new shark fossil species completely

dismantled the argument paleontologists have made over the last 200 years about
the origin of the great white shark. Scientist originally believed the great white
shark was most closely related to the Carcharocles megaldon (Megatooth Shark),
but now evidence points to the Carcharadon hastalis (Mako Shark) as its ancestor.
The new shark fossil of the Carcharodon hubbelli reveals its full jaw with the teeth
intact. From its tooth structure, scientists have gathered enough information to
support that this species is even more closely related to the great white shark than
the mako shark. Like the great white shark and the megatooth shark, the
Carcharodon hubbelli has saw-like teeth, but they are not sharp. This species seems
to present a perfect mix between the mako shark, which has smooth teeth to eat
fish, and the great white shark, which has jagged, sharp teeth to eat seals and other
large mammals. Through the use of carbon dating, scientist were able to place the
new shark fossil back over 6.5 million years ago, further supporting the conclusion
that it was an intermediate species between the mako shark and the great white
shark, serving as the true ancestor of the great white.
Justification of Theory:
Fossils of the different species shark teeth show the process of evolution. Different
diets caused one sharks teeth to be round and dull (Mako Shark) while the teeth of
another shark are pointy and jagged (Great White Shark). Adaptations occur over
time in order for an organism to become better suited for its environment. A gradual
change is teeth sharpness resulted from a change in environment, which ultimately
led to a change in diet for survival purposes.
Evidence Example 3
Evolution of Birds (Archaeopteryx to Modern Day Birds)
Description of Evidence/ Brief History:
Fossils of early birds have been discovered in Mesozoic aged rocks. The
Archaeopteryx lived 150 million years ago, according to age of the rocks its fossil
was found in. It was first discovered in Germany in 1860 and was considered a
transitional fossil between dinosaurs and birds. These birds had long tails and wings
for flight. Like the modern day bird, this animal had claws that they were able to
walk on the ground with, as well as provide themselves with balance. Fossils reveal,
however, that the Archaeopteryx had a primitive shoulder girdle, limiting is ability to
take flight. Even though it had some aerodynamic abilities, it could only travel short
distances in the air.

Justification of Theory:

The different design of varying features, such as each birds wings, teeth, and feet
provides evidence for their evolutionary past. These distinct features show their
evolution due to their environment and the role each animal played in their
ecosystem (ecological niche) during their time on Earth. An example of this would
be, the Archaeopteryx sharp teeth compared to that of seed-feeder bird. The
Archaeopteryx was a carnivore that feasted on small animals like lizards and frogs,
so it needed sharp teeth to eat its prey. Modern day birds, such as finches that feed
on seeds, have sharp bills to crack open nuts, but they do not have sharp teeth.
Evidence Example 4
Evolution of Horses (Hyracotherium to Equus [Modern Day Horse])
Description of Evidence/ Brief History:
In 1876, Othniel Marsh found the first complete fossil of a Hyracotherium in Oregon.
Recently, scientists have been able to use carbon dating to find out that this fossil is
52 million years old. Unlike the modern day horse, the skeleton of this animal is
fairly small in size (almost the size of a medium sized dog). Its skeleton shows the
formation of four toes on its front feet and three on the back ones. It also had lowcrowned teeth. The fossil of the Mesopphius, dating back to 30 million years ago
had low-crowned teeth as well because the animal browsed on foliage. The
Merychippus, had only three toes, but the middle held most of the weight. The foot
structure of this animal can be compared to that of a modern day horse because its
placement suggests a strong ligament in the foot like that of the horse. The
Pliohippus, dating back to 15 million years ago however, is the most closely related
the genus Equus of the modern day horse. This animal had high-crowned teach like
modern days horses do as well as vestigial toes.

Justification of Theory:
When looking at the skeletal structures of the horses ancestors and comparing
them to that of the horses, it is apparent that evolution has taken place. Focusing
on just the feet and legs of each animal gives even more insight into the process of
evolution, for the once distinct toes of Hyracotherium became completely
disregarded in the phenotype of the modern day horse. Even though it may not be
visible to the human eye, however, these vestigial structures are still present in the
horse population today. Underneath their hard-hooved surface, horses still show
signs of small bones protruding from their feet like those that their ancestors had to
support toes.

Evidence Example 5

Evolution of Whales (Pakicetus to Balaena[Modern Day Whale])

Description of Evidence/ Brief History:
Paleontologist, Phil Gingerich, discovered a 52 million year old skull in 1978 in
Pakistan, which was later named Pakicetus. This skull resembled the creodonts
fossils, but shared more characteristics with the oldest know whales, Aecheocetes,
marking a land animals evolvement into an aquatic animal. One of its distinctive
features showing its transition was the ear region of the skull. The modern day
whales ear region has been modified for directional hearing underwater. An
amphibious animal, called the Ambulocetus, had hind feet that allowed it to swim
with ease. When comparing its skeleton to that of the modern day whale, it is much
smaller in size. This species had small hooves and a tail, so it had the ability to
travel on land as well. A closer relative to the modern day whale is Rhodocetus,
which marks the transition to the marine lifestyle completely, for its skeleton
reveals that its legs are not properly attached to its pelvis, so they were of no use to
this species at all. A fossil of the Basilosaurus, dating back to 40 million years ago,
was found providing the most closely related ancestor to the modern day whale.
Fossils found show that this species had flippers to propel them through the water
faster. Like the Rhodocetus, the Basilosaurus still had weak hind legs, even though
it was unable to walk on land.
Justification of Theory:
The evolution of whales shows the process of a land animal evolving into an aquatic
animal. Fossils show the legs of its earliest ancestor becoming vestigial structures of
later, more closely related species to that of the modern day whale. Also, over time
flippers became an adaption of ancestor species of the modern day whale for
swimming, which enabled it to move more freely in the water. Because this trait was
favorable and aided in survival, it was passed on through means of natural
selection.

References:

"Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County." Birds: The Late Evolution of
Dinosaurs. Web. 16 Sept. 2015. <http://www.nhm.org/site/researchcollections/dinosaur-institute/dinosaurs/birds-late-evolution-dinosaurs>.
"Shark Teeth Tell Great White Shark Evolution Story." Smithsonian Ocean
Portal. Web. 16 Sept. 2015. <http://ocean.si.edu/ocean-news/shark-teeth-tellgreat-white-shark-evolution-story>.
Switek, Brian. "How Did Whales Evolve?" Smithsonian. Web. 16 Sept. 2015.
<http://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/how-did-whales-evolve73276956/?no-ist>.

Than, Ker. "Neanderthal: 99.5 Percent Human." LiveScience. TechMedia

Network, 15 Nov. 2006. Web. 15 Sept. 2015.
<http://www.livescience.com/1122-neanderthal-99-5-percent-human.html>.
"The Evolution of the Horse's Foot." Horse Evolution Over 55 Million Years.
Web. 16 Sept. 2015.
<http://chem.tufts.edu/science/evolution/horseevolution.htm>.
"The Evolution of the Horse." The Evolution of the Horse. Web. 16 Sept. 2015.
<http://creation.com/the-evolution-of-the-horse>.
"Whale Evolution." PBS. WGBH Educational Foundation and Clear Blue Sky
Productions, Inc. Web. 16 Sept. 2015.
<http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/evolution/library/03/4/l_034_05.html>.