Darwin and Evolution - for iPad/Mac/PC

The Open University

2009 marks the 200th anniversary of the birth of Charles Darwin and the 150th anniversary of the publication of On The Origin Of Species. This album introduces Darwin's great revelation: that species change and adapt according to their environment. Apparently diverse specimens and fossils reveal surprising results, such as the common ancestry of the hippopotamus and the dolphin, whose evolutionary paths diverged when their habitats changed. Research on sparrows show how particular characteristics are linked to success at surviving in the wild, and the selective breeding of dogs for aesthetic purposes shows how humans can influence the evolution of other species. This material forms part of The Open University course S366 Evolution.

  • 1 minute 10 seconds
    Darwin and Evolution
    A short introduction to this album.
    26 March 2010, 4:42 am
  • Transcript -- Darwin and Evolution
    Transcript -- A short introduction to this album.
    26 March 2010, 4:42 am
  • 4 minutes 9 seconds
    Shared ancestries
    Exhibits at the Natural History Museum in Tring reveal a striking shared ancestry between the hippo and the dolphin.
    1 March 2009, 10:04 pm
  • Transcript -- Shared ancestries
    Transcript -- Exhibits at the Natural History Museum in Tring reveal a striking shared ancestry between the hippo and the dolphin.
    1 March 2009, 10:04 pm
  • 2 minutes 32 seconds
    Birds and breeding
    Darwin's study of the bizarre results of artificial breeding of pigeons shed light on evolutionary processes.
    1 March 2009, 10:03 pm
  • Transcript -- Birds and breeding
    Transcript -- Darwin's study of the bizarre results of artificial breeding of pigeons shed light on evolutionary processes.
    1 March 2009, 10:03 pm
  • 2 minutes 23 seconds
    Dogs and breeding
    Dogs used to be bred for their ability to help humans. Now selective breeding accentuates physical features at the expense of ability to survive in the wild.
    1 March 2009, 10:02 pm
  • Transcript -- Dogs and breeding
    Transcript -- Dogs used to be bred for their ability to help humans. Now selective breeding accentuates physical features at the expense of ability to survive in the wild.
    1 March 2009, 10:02 pm
  • 2 minutes 16 seconds
    Sparrows and breeding
    How differences in 'badge' sizes between males relates to success at finding food and rearing young.
    1 March 2009, 10:01 pm
  • Transcript -- Sparrows and breeding
    Transcript -- How differences in 'badge' sizes between males relates to success at finding food and rearing young.
    1 March 2009, 10:01 pm
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