Final answer:
Charles Darwin and Alfred Wallace independently discovered the concept of natural selection, a key mechanism of evolution, and presented their findings in 1858.
Step-by-step explanation:
Charles Darwin and Alfred Wallace independently discovered the concept of natural selection, which is a fundamental mechanism of evolution. Both scientists presented their scientific papers on this concept at the Linnean Society in 1858, leading to its recognition as a major explanation for how species evolve over time. Darwin is often more recognized for this discovery, primarily due to his publication, On the Origin of Species, which outlined the theory of evolution by natural selection.