The differences between them resulted from changes that happened over many years. Evidence to support the theory of evolution has come primarily from the fossil record, from comparative studies of structure and function, from studies of embryological. A complete theory of evolution was not announced, however, until the publication in 1859 of charles darwin’s on the origin of species by means of natural selection or the.
The central argument of darwin’s theory of evolution starts with the existence of hereditary variation. See the article evolution for a full explanation of evolutionary theory, including its main proponents both before and after darwin, its arousal of both resistance and acceptance. Darwin accumulated evidence showing that evolution had occurred, that diverse organisms share common ancestors, and that living beings have changed drastically over the.
The evidence is overwhelming that all life on earth has evolved from common ancestors in an unbroken chain since its origin. Darwin sought to explain the splendid multiformity of the living world—thousands of organisms of the most diverse kinds, from lowly. Evolution, theory in biology postulating that the various types of living things on earth have their origin in other preexisting types and that the distinguishable differences are due to. Evolution, biological theory that animals and plants have their origin in other preexisting types and that the distinguishable differences are due to modifications in successive generations.