Early Experimental evolution

drawing of incubator used dallinger in evolution experiments.

one of first carry out controlled evolution experiment william dallinger. in late 19th century, cultivated small unicellular organisms in custom-built incubator on time period of 7 years (1880–1886). dallinger increased temperature of incubator initial 60 °f 158 °f. cultures had shown clear signs of distress @ temperature of 73 °f, , not capable of surviving @ 158 °f. organisms dallinger had in incubator @ end of experiment, on other hand, fine @ 158 °f. however, these organisms no longer grow @ initial 60 °f. dallinger concluded had found evidence darwinian adaptation in incubator, , organisms had adapted live in high-temperature environment. dallinger s incubator accidentally destroyed in 1886, , dallinger not continue line of research.

from 1880s 1980, experimental evolution intermittently practiced variety of evolutionary biologists, including highly influential theodosius dobzhansky. other experimental research in evolutionary biology during period, of work lacked extensive replication , carried out relatively short periods of evolutionary time.