Final answer:
Charles Darwin was a prominent naturalist who developed the theory of natural selection based on observations from his five-year voyage on HMS Beagle, especially from the Galápagos Islands, contributing to the foundation of evolutionary biology.
Step-by-step explanation:
Charles Darwin and His Influential Voyage
Charles Darwin was a groundbreaking British naturalist renowned for his seminal work in evolutionary theory and the concept of natural selection. Darwin's key work, On the Origin of Species published in 1859, was greatly influenced by his observations during his voyage on the HMS Beagle. This book altered the basis of biology and refuted the notion that species were immutable and created simultaneously.
The Voyage of the Beagle
Darwin's voyage on the HMS Beagle lasted five years, from 1831 to 1836. During this time, he meticulously collected and analyzed specimens from various locations, including an important stop at the Galápagos Islands. His observations and collections, notably of finches and tortoises, revealed slight variations among species that inhabited different islands.
These variations were adapted to specific ecological niches, prompting Darwin to ponder the origin of species. The differences in beak shapes among the finches, for instance, reflected their diverse feeding habits shaped by the environments of their respective islands. Darwin had not fully conceived the theory of natural selection during his voyage but he began to formulate the essential ideas.
The environment significantly influences the evolution of a species by favoring the survival and reproduction of individuals with advantageous traits. This process leads to a gradual adaptation of species to their surroundings over generations.