Evolution and DiversityEvolution and DiversityThe foundation for the theory of evolution was laid by Charles Darwin (Rose, n.d.). He developed hypotheses about natural selection that helped scientists develop the theory. Evolution is a theory and not a hypothesis because it has been proven by large amounts of scientific data, research and testing. The definition of a hypothesis is a plausible explanation that needs to be researched and tested but has not yet been proven (Earman, 1984). There is no scientific evidence to disprove the theory of evolution. Fossil finds are evidence of evolution. Fossils are often fingerprints of evolution. They help scientists track how species have evolved over millions of years (2010). Historical biogeography is responsible for determining a species' geographic origin and history (Guiterrez-Garcia, 2010). They often trace the origin of a new species due to geographic isolation or movement to a new location and evolved into a distinct new species. Comparative anatomy began even before the theory of evolution. Scientists studied how species were similar, organ systems developed, and limbs evolved (Abdala, 2010). This can help scientists begin to understand how or why a species separated. Comparative anatomy is the scientific proof of evolution. Embryology is similar to comparative anatomy. Embryology studies the similarities between embryos (Hall, 2010). Animal embryonic cells develop similarly regardless of species up to a certain point where differences begin to develop. These markers are evolutionary evidence of when species began to separate. Molecular biology uses RNA and DNA analysis to trace the evolution of a species… half of the article… eography: designing studies while surviving the process. Biosciences, 61(11), 857-868. doi: 10.1525/bio.20l1.61.11.5Hall, B. K. (2010). Charles Darwin, embryology, evolution and skeletal plasticity. Journal of Applied Ichthyology, 26(2), 148-151. doi:10.1111/j.1439-0426.2010.01394.xHlodan, O. (2011). Molecular insights into classic examples of evolution. Biosciences, 61(4), 264-267. doi:10.1525/bio.2011.61.4.4Petren, K. K., Grant, P. R., Grant, B. R., & Keller, L. F. (2005). Comparative landscape genetics and adaptive radiation of Darwin's finches: the role of peripheral isolation. Molecular Ecology, 14(10), 2943-2957. doi:10.1111/j.1365-294X.2005.02632.xRose, M.R. (n.d.). Darwin's Specter: Evolutionary Biology in the Modern World. Smith, T. M., & Smith, R. L. (2009). Elements of ecology (7 ed.). San Francisco, California Pearson / Benjamin Cummings.