Want this question answered?
Natural selection can only work on genetic variation that already exists. So mutation comes first, then natural selection.
The current theory of evolution by natural selection was introduced formally by Charles Darwin, in his work "On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection, or the Preservation of Favoured Races in the Struggle for Life", first published in 1859.
"The Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection or, The Preservation of Favored Races in the Struggle for Life"
he developed the idea of natural selection
Organic evolution is the process by which the genetic makeup of a species changes over time. There are several mechanisms by which this can happen: natural selection, genetic drift (chance), migration and mutation. So natural selection is one possible way in which evolution can take place. Most biologists agree that natural selection is the most important mechanism of evolution. This mechanism was first discovered by Charles Darwin and, independently. by Alfred Wallace.
Charles Darwin Published "On the origin of species by means of natural selection" in 1859. He was not the first to postulate evolution. His grandfather Erasmus Darwin advanced the theory of evolution 75 years earlier. Charles Darwin gave us the driving force "natural selection"
At the Linnaen Society meeting sometime in 1858 Charles Robert Darwin and Alfred Russel Wallace had both their papers presented before the Society on which they proposed the idea of natural selection as a mechanism of evolution.
Many biology teachers have taught about this, but Charles Darwin was the man credited for first discovering the mechanism and writing about it.
Charles Darwin is the best remembered for defining evolution through natural selection. He did this chiefly through his book "On the Origin of Species..." published in 1859. Some have noted that he actually put forward two proposals. His first was to note actual changes in organisms (his famous Galapagos finches) and postulate these were 'created' via natural selection. His second and more radical proposal was to postulate that these changes, made numerous over long ages could create totally new species.
The theory of natural selection was developed in the middle to late 1800's by a brilliant man by the name of Charles Darwin. Im not sure of an exact date - but his book Origin of Species was published on November 24, 1859. Of course research and speculation were made much earlier in order to come to the conclusion of his theory of Natural selection and evolution being the root of where and how life came to be and progress so diverse. Hope this helps a little...
Pioneer Species
Both Charles Darwin and Alfred Russel Wallace independently discovered natural selection.