Originally posted by catstormWhy does it matter? His biggest contribution to science by far was the Theory of Evolution.
How many species did Charles Darwin discover in his lifetime? And what, apart from evolution were his accomplishments in biology?
He did discover quite a number of species as he was part of a round the world expedition. He also studied marine invertebrates in quite some detail especially barnacles.
He was also, according to Wikipedia, an eminent geologist and popular author.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Darwin
Originally posted by catstormThis article says 1539:
It matters to me as a matter of scientific curiosity. Darwin is celebrated for his major achievements. His minor ones are also important. Every source says that he identified 'many' new species. I would like to know the number.
http://darwin200.christs.cam.ac.uk/pages/index.php?page_id=c4
He also did an 8 year study on barnacles and wrote a 4 volume set of books on the subject, still authoritative today.
Originally posted by sonhouseNo, that article says his catalogs list that many species. It says nothing about how many he discovered. He most likely cataloged many that were already known to science.
This article says 1539:
The number he actually discovered probably changes with time as biologist tend to change their minds about where species boundaries lie as new information comes to light.
Originally posted by twhiteheadThat would be quite a job to separate those two, what did D discover V what other people already knew over 200 years ago.
No, that article says his catalogs list that many species. It says nothing about how many he discovered. He most likely cataloged many that were already known to science.
The number he actually discovered probably changes with time as biologist tend to change their minds about where species boundaries lie as new information comes to light.
Originally posted by sonhouseThat's always a problem in biology. Also its not so much what people already knew, but rather what 'science' knew, ie what species had been correctly described in a scientific manner.
That would be quite a job to separate those two, what did D discover V what other people already knew over 200 years ago.
Its best not to try to put a figure on what he 'discovered', and just say he cataloged that many species.
