Evolution of Insect Genetics

 

Drosophila eye

Charles Darwin‘s fascination with insects began early in life. While studying at Cambridge University, his interest continued with earnest sending James Francis Stephens, his professor of entomology (insects), specimens, and descriptions of the critters. At the time, discussing the evolution of insect genetics would have been as relevant as discussing moon landings.

Just months before setting sail on the HMS Beagle in 1831, Stevens published his recognition of
Darwin’s work on insects (pictured right) in his widely-popular Illustrations of British Entomology – once a popular publication. Steven’s recognition fostered Darwin’s emerging credibility. In his Autobiography, Darwin noted –

“No pursuit at Cambridge [University] was followed with nearly so much eagerness or gave me so much pleasure as collecting beetles.”
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The European Eel, Darwin Wrong

European EelThe European eel illustrates exactly why Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution has continued to be on the wrong side of science. Darwin once argued that “By the theory of natural selection, all living species have been connected… So that the number of intermediate and transitional links, between all living and extinct species, must have been inconceivably great.”

Since the publication of The Origin of Species in 1859, Darwin’s “inconceivably great” number of evolutionary transitional links in the fossil record over the past 150 years still remains missing despite the discovery of vast numbers of fossils. The eel, sometimes known as a living fossil, highlights the unique and bizarre novelties of nature rather than Darwin’s endless series of transitional links. More importantly, rather than serving as an example of evolution, eels, specifically the European eel, now face extinction, not evolution. Darwin, once again, proved wrong.

 

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