WHAT IS 'SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST'?
Survival of the fittest is a common term that started in evolutionary theory as a way of describing natural selection. From an evolutionary standpoint, the ‘fittest’ specimens are merely the ones that have the combination of characteristics/traits that allow for them to survive and produce more offspring than others of that species.
In an environment that is continually changing, it is usually the most versatile individuals that have the greatest success and reproduce the most offspring. This is clearly evident in Galápagos finches.
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN 'SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST' AND NATURAL SELECTION
Natural selection is more of an evolutionary process, where organisms change over generations to adjust to the changing environment. For example, some birds live where there is no natural competition or predation, so eventually, they will lose the ability to fly and their wings will weaken or even disappear. Survival of the fittest is the process of eliminating the weak individuals of a species and having the healthier, most diverse specimens reproduce offspring so that the breed will be a healthier and more diverse species (which helps with survival).
Survival of the fittest is a common term that started in evolutionary theory as a way of describing natural selection. From an evolutionary standpoint, the ‘fittest’ specimens are merely the ones that have the combination of characteristics/traits that allow for them to survive and produce more offspring than others of that species.
In an environment that is continually changing, it is usually the most versatile individuals that have the greatest success and reproduce the most offspring. This is clearly evident in Galápagos finches.
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN 'SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST' AND NATURAL SELECTION
Natural selection is more of an evolutionary process, where organisms change over generations to adjust to the changing environment. For example, some birds live where there is no natural competition or predation, so eventually, they will lose the ability to fly and their wings will weaken or even disappear. Survival of the fittest is the process of eliminating the weak individuals of a species and having the healthier, most diverse specimens reproduce offspring so that the breed will be a healthier and more diverse species (which helps with survival).