After reading and researching I believe that Alfred Russel Wallace had the most influence on Darwin and his theory of Natural Selection. Wallace was a naturalist and explorer who, while traveling in the Amazon, noticed that animals and plants had characteristics that were influenced by environmental factors (i.e. camouflaged coloring or specially formed bills for eating nuts.) He called this theory evolution or natural selection and published the articles ‘On the Law which has Regulated the Introduction of New Species’ and ‘On the Tendency of Varieties to Depart Indefinitely from the Original Type.’ Wallace is also known for placing the zoological dividing line (known as Wallace’s line) between the Malay islands of Borneo and Celebes. (http://www.phfawcettsweb.org/wallace.htm)
The sixth bullet point, “If the environment changes, the traits that are helpful or adaptive to that environment will be different,” is most influenced by Wallace’s work. The influence is a positive one because Wallace was independently coming to the same conclusions as Darwin while he traveled the Amazon. He observed how different animals and plants had differing characteristics based on their environmental needs. Coloring varied from place to place in order to act as a camouflage and certainn birds had different shaped beaks in order to eat the specific nuts of an area or reach the nectar of flowers. Wallace observed that when the environment would change species had to change with it and evolve in order to survive. He also observed that the same species would have completely different characteristics in different areas because the environment called for different adaptations.Darwin built upon Wallace’s work and published both their findings in 1858. Darwin was already working on his theory of natural selection and would have concluded it without Wallace and his work, but Wallace made Darwin realize that if he didn’t publish soon then another could take credit for his theory. In this way Wallace pushed Darwin to speed up and publish his theory sooner.. Darwin was concerned that many people belonging to the church, such as his wife Emma, saw his theory as challenging their beliefs. He knew his work was highly controversial as a lot of people associated evolution with atheism so he was hesitant to publish his work. After publication he was met with a lot of criticism, but also scholarly praise. I believe that seeing Wallace’s findings gave Darwin the confidence he needed to publish and upset the status quo for the sake of science.
Great points! it was difficult to determine whom was the right candidate that had influenced Darwin. That was a great point in regards to the birds and how they changed their beaks in order to adjust to the new environments. The Hummingbirds adjusted their beaks for survival and the ones with small beaks many did not survive they could not get to the nectar of the flowers. Survival is what allows change in many species. Very true he had lots of trouble publishing his book because of the believes in religion. Both gave great theories for science and the evolution of new scientists.
ReplyDeleteGreat background on Wallace.
ReplyDeleteWhile I agree that the bullet point about the environment certainly doesn't apply to Wallace, since both Wallace and Darwin developed the theories independently, wouldn't all bullet points also applies to both?
"...Wallace made Darwin realize that if he didn’t publish soon then another could take credit for his theory."
Yes, I agree that this may have been Wallace's most significant contribution to Darwin, the kick in the pants he needed to finally publish.
Excellent final section. Good job identifying that Darwin wasn't worried about himself but also concerned about the impact on those around him. Scientists don't work in a vacuum. They have multiple influences on them, scientifically, professionally, socially and personally. That can't be forgotten.
Good first post.
Good points. I almost chose Wallace for my blog post as well. It was interesting to read the similarities between Wallace and Darwin and how they both worked together to foster a professional bond and work well together. I think that was the best choice of bullet points but all of them definitely can apply to Wallace as well.
ReplyDeleteI understand where you are coming from Wallace is a very well zoologist that was a big influence to Darwin. they somehow both helped one another. The bullet point was a great choice, but just cause they worked together and helped one another shouldn't all the bullet points be involved?
ReplyDeleteGood job i enjoyed reading this.