University Assignment: Annotated Bibliography of Darwin's Theory

This annotated bibliography examines Darwin's theory of natural selection, addressing the research question: "What are the main aspects of Darwin’s theory of Evolution?" It analyzes two key academic sources: Lenski's paper on adaptation by natural selection in microbiology, comparing Lamarck's and Darwin's views, and Grant and Grant's research on introgressive hybridization in Darwin's finches. Lenski's article discusses genetic variation, spontaneous mutation, and experimental biology, including the multidecadal study of Darwin’s finches. Grant and Grant's paper correlates natural selection with introgressive hybridization, focusing on the hybridization among finch species and its impact on genetic variation and adaptability. Both articles are summarized, and the annotated bibliography concludes that mutation and natural selection are the two most important aspects of Darwin’s theory and these help in the sustainability of an organism in nature.

Running Head: Annotated Bibliography
Darwin’s Theory of Natural Selection -Annotated Bibliography
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1Darwin’s Theory of Natural Selection -Annotated Bibliography
Introduction
The essay will analyse the influence of the main aspects of Darwin’s theory of
evolution as per the research question-“What are the main aspects of Darwin’s theory of
Evolution?”. This theory of evolution stated that the variation of individuals is the crucial
mechanisms of evolution.
Discussion
Lenski, R. E. (2017). What is adaptation by natural selection? Perspectives of an
experimental microbiologist. PLoS genetics, 13(4).
The author of this research paper developed a perspective of natural selection in the
field of microbiology. Different experiments were compared by the author to explain the
effect of natural selection in the morphological, physiological and behavioural adaptation of
different microorganisms. The researcher discussed the difference between Lamarck’s and
Darwin’s view towards the natural selection and adaptation with the help of comparative
analysis. A reference of a fluctuation test showing mutation among E.coli was given to
correlate the frequency with rising numbers of mutants. Lenski also mentioned the
effectiveness of experiments of Luria, Delbru¨ck, and the Lederbergs to establish the fact
related to the hereditary mutation with the reference of its physiochemical basis. According to
the study, genetic variation is the result of spontaneous mutation as any population try to live
within the limited source along with constant reproduction. For example, asexual E.coli
bacteria can show 100 times of growth in a limited resource. The author referred dynamic
model with the comparison of the clonal interface between beneficial mutation and
diminishing-returns epistasis to represent the power-law relation. This article has described
the references of multidecadal study of Darwin’s finch. The study describes the experimental

2Darwin’s Theory of Natural Selection -Annotated Bibliography
biology with the references of natural selection and mutation. The research has also described
how the research has been evolved throughout the ages to get accurate findings and
significant relationship among the results.
Grant, P. R., & Grant, B. R. (2016). Introgressive hybridization and natural
selection in Darwin's finches. Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 117(4), 812-822.
The paper correlates natural selection with the references of introgressive
hybridization, which is the most common techniques for increasing biological diversity
effectively with the help of amplification of the new lineages. The research has been
described the hybridisation among Geospiza fortis Gould with the G. scandens (Gould), and
rare G. scandens (Gould) resulted in a compatible group of young species(Harwood &
Wilkin, 2016). The new species increased the genetic variation with the ecological balance.
The research also analysed a result of the previous result, which demonstrates the
convergence of the G. fortis and G. scandens resulting in the bidirectional introgression
among the population. As a result of the introgression, genetic variation should be increased.
After the severe drought in Daphne island, G. fortis with the large beaks showed a higher
mortality rate. The study has explained that after the drought number of short-beak Geospiza
were spotted more in number. Therefore, this is the evidence of the potential morphological
fusion of two species which promotes adaptability with the help of mutation.
Conclusion
This study concludes that mutation and natural selections are the two most important
aspects of Darwin’s theory and these help in the sustainability of an organism in nature.

3Darwin’s Theory of Natural Selection -Annotated Bibliography
References
Lenski, R. E. (2017). What is adaptation by natural selection? Perspectives of an
experimental microbiologist. PLoS genetics, 13(4).
Grant, P. R., & Grant, B. R. (2016). Introgressive hybridization and natural selection in
Darwin's finches. Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 117(4), 812-822.
Harwood, J., & Wilkin, D. (2016). Theory of Evolution by Natural Selection.