Advent of Evolutionary Embryology

May 17, 2024 | by Bloom Code Studio

Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution first restructured comparative embryology and saw that embryonic resemblances would be a very strong argument in favor of the genetic connectedness of different animal groups.
Darwin also noted that embryonic organisms sometimes make structures that are inappropriate for their adult form but that show their relatedness to other animals.
He pointed out the existence of eyes in embryonic moles, pelvic rudiments in embryonic snakes, and teeth in embryonic baleen whales.
Darwin also argued that adaptations that depart from the “type” and allow an organism to survive in its particular environment develop late in the embryo.
He noted that the differences between species within genera become greater as development persists, as predicted by von Baer’s laws.
Thus, Darwin recognized two ways of looking at “descent with modification.” One could emphasize the common descent by pointing out embryonic similarities between two or more groups of animals, or one could emphasize the modifications by showing how development was altered to produce structures that enabled animals to adapt to particular conditions.

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