CONTRIBUTIONS MADE BY CHARLES DARWIN + ALFRED WALLACE TO
THE UNDERSTANDING OF NATURAL SELECTION
Charles Darwin and Alfred Wallace were two of the most prominent and influential researchers of species, genes, and eventually evolution. Darwin often overshadows Wallace, however, both men were researching and writing of very similar ideas and theories at the time. It is usually thought that Darwin single-handedly formed the idea of evolution and natural selection, when in truth, it was the accumulation of many other ideas that were streamlined by Darwin and Wallace.
When Darwin and Wallace read Thomas Malthus’ ‘Essay on the Principle of Population’, both thought that animals and plants should also be experiencing the population pressure, just as humans do. They theorized that it should take minimal time for other species to overrun humanity in population size, but it does not happen because they cannot reproduce to their full potential. The species are vulnerable environmental challenges and other external pressures. Individuals must also compete for what resources there is, since it cannot go to all members, but only the best-adapted to the environment.
Darwin began creating his theory of natural selection in the late 1830’s, but did not publically present his ideas. He wanted to have a large amount of creditable evidence before presenting his theory to the scientific community. During those years he talked with Wallace, who was investigating the environment and wildlife of Asia and South America. Wallace gave Darwin bird specimens for Darwin’s research and decided to ask for Darwin's help in publishing his own theories of evolution. In 1858, Darwin realised that Wallace had extremely similar ideas and theories to himself.
Natural selection was formulated by both scientists with masses of evidence from both researchers to back-up the theory. However, scientists at the time did not subscribe to the theory of natural selection and preferred Lamarckian ideas on evolutionary theory and the way life has changed over natural history. It wasn’t until decades later when genes and mutations proved Darwin’s and Wallace’s theory of natural selection to be true.
THE UNDERSTANDING OF NATURAL SELECTION
Charles Darwin and Alfred Wallace were two of the most prominent and influential researchers of species, genes, and eventually evolution. Darwin often overshadows Wallace, however, both men were researching and writing of very similar ideas and theories at the time. It is usually thought that Darwin single-handedly formed the idea of evolution and natural selection, when in truth, it was the accumulation of many other ideas that were streamlined by Darwin and Wallace.
When Darwin and Wallace read Thomas Malthus’ ‘Essay on the Principle of Population’, both thought that animals and plants should also be experiencing the population pressure, just as humans do. They theorized that it should take minimal time for other species to overrun humanity in population size, but it does not happen because they cannot reproduce to their full potential. The species are vulnerable environmental challenges and other external pressures. Individuals must also compete for what resources there is, since it cannot go to all members, but only the best-adapted to the environment.
Darwin began creating his theory of natural selection in the late 1830’s, but did not publically present his ideas. He wanted to have a large amount of creditable evidence before presenting his theory to the scientific community. During those years he talked with Wallace, who was investigating the environment and wildlife of Asia and South America. Wallace gave Darwin bird specimens for Darwin’s research and decided to ask for Darwin's help in publishing his own theories of evolution. In 1858, Darwin realised that Wallace had extremely similar ideas and theories to himself.
Natural selection was formulated by both scientists with masses of evidence from both researchers to back-up the theory. However, scientists at the time did not subscribe to the theory of natural selection and preferred Lamarckian ideas on evolutionary theory and the way life has changed over natural history. It wasn’t until decades later when genes and mutations proved Darwin’s and Wallace’s theory of natural selection to be true.