Question

Theory of evolution: Charles Darwin published 'the origin of species'; Alfred Russel Wallace proposed evolution occurs because of natural selection."

A. Darwin and Wallace independently proposed the theory of evolution.
B. Darwin and Wallace disagreed on the mechanism of evolution.
C. Only Darwin contributed to the theory of evolution.
D. Wallace proposed creationism as an alternative to evolution.

Answer 1

Darwin and Wallace independently conceived the theory of evolution by natural selection based on their extensive natural observations during expeditions in the tropics. Option A is the correct answer.

Step-by-step explanation:

Charles Darwin and Alfred Russel Wallace independently proposed the theory of evolution by natural selection. Both naturalists spent time on exploratory expeditions in the tropics, observing the diversity of life and the adaptations of organisms. Darwin's observations of the Galápagos finches with diverse beak shapes, among other evidence, led him to suggest that species might evolve through a process he described as 'descent with modification.' Similarly, Wallace formulated his conception of natural selection through his studies in the Malay Archipelago. Their shared ideas were jointly presented in 1858, and Darwin further elaborated the theory in his book, On the Origin of Species, published in 1859.