Early Naturalists and the Development of the Theory of Natural Selection

2. To understand the ecology of invasive species, one must have a basic grasp of the concept of adaptation. The driving principle of natural history/ecology is the evolution of populations by means of Natural Selection. This concept was brought forth at least twice, independently, by “gentleman naturalists” of Victorian England- Alfred Russel Wallace and Charles Robert Darwin. Although they had markedly different backgrounds, their development of the theory followed similar pathways. You will find this extremely interesting material summarized in Reserve Reading #2; Bronowski, Jacob 1973.  Ascent of Man, Chapter 7 Ladder of Creation, Little, Brown and Company, Boston, pp 291-309.

3. Alfred Russel Wallace 1823-1913 Charles Robert Darwin 1809-1882 Early Naturalists and the Development of the Theory of Natural Selection

4. “Forget these guys”

5. “Chuck” “Al” Top 10 Reasons C. R. Darwin is Better Known Than A. R. Wallace 10. Darwin appeared on Geraldo theme show, “People who did not change sex nor meet Satan for lunch but did become evolutionists and the women who loved them”. 9. Darwin’s flashy ship, the HMS Beagle, had bitchin’ yellow sign, “Evolutionist on Board” mounted on poop deck window. Wallace’s ship caught fire, burned and sank.

6. 8. Wallace was the original drummer, replaced by Ringo, in the Beatles, Darwin ate beetles 7. When giving courtesy kiss to Queen Victoria, Darwin slipped her the tongue. 6.Darwin had cute little gluteal tatoo “Spread your genes” 5.Darwin’s brain was frozen for future study, Wallace’s brain was transplanted into skull of Jerry Garcia. 4. Wallace made improper “let’s maximize our fitness” advances to daughter of Mob Boss, John Gotti.

7. 3. Darwin wore pants that were 3 sizes too large, went to shopping malls and said, “Oopsie”, when they fell down 2. Wallace’s first book was “Sadam Hussein: just one of our well-oiled neighbors”, nuf said! 1. Darwin chosen to give lecture on “Origin of Species” at Cambridge University, Wallace invited to give lecture on “Anti-gravity Hair” at Ringling Brothers Clown College.

8. Initial Differences 1. Childhood and early years Alfred Russel Wallace 2. Events leading to their first expeditions Charles Darwin

9. Initial Similarities 1. Early expeditions were to South America Alfred Russel Wallace Charles Darwin

11. The Malay Archipelago

12. Initial Similarities 2. Doubted the “fixitive of species” Alfred Russel Wallace 3. Both read and followed the ideas formulated in Thomas Robert Malthus writings, e.g., “Essay on Population” Charles Darwin

13. Robert Malthus (1766-1834) “Essay on Population” Available Food Population Amount Time

14. Charles Darwin First Writings 1. Darwin- “Notebook on Transmutation” 2. Wallace- “On the law which has regulated the introduction of new species” Alfred Russel Wallace 3. The Hooker-Lyell “Treachery?”

15. Charles Darwin The Famous 1859 Papers Presented jointly at a meeting of the Linnean Society “On the tendency of varieties to depart indefinitely from the original type” Alfred Russel Wallace “On the origin of species”

16. Frank Franks Paving Pillsbury Doughboy Survival of the Fittest