Darwin and Evolution - for iPad/Mac/PC - podcast cover

Darwin and Evolution - for iPad/Mac/PC

The Open Universitywww3.open.ac.uk
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.
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Episodes

Shared ancestries

Exhibits at the Natural History Museum in Tring reveal a striking shared ancestry between the hippo and the dolphin.

Mar 01, 20094 min

Transcript -- Shared ancestries

Transcript -- Exhibits at the Natural History Museum in Tring reveal a striking shared ancestry between the hippo and the dolphin.

Mar 01, 2009

Birds and breeding

Darwin's study of the bizarre results of artificial breeding of pigeons shed light on evolutionary processes.

Mar 01, 20093 min

Transcript -- Birds and breeding

Transcript -- Darwin's study of the bizarre results of artificial breeding of pigeons shed light on evolutionary processes.

Mar 01, 2009

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.

Mar 01, 20092 min

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.

Mar 01, 2009

Sparrows and breeding

How differences in 'badge' sizes between males relates to success at finding food and rearing young.

Mar 01, 20092 min
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