Is there any evidence of evolution of animals in modern times?

Answer 1

The Irish Elk, Megaloceros, was the largest deer species that ever lived. The Irish Elk stood up to seven feet tall. The elk's antlers grew up to 12 feet long. Scientists believe the last surviving Irish Elk died around 11,000 years ago. This giant deer has become important to paleontologists to study in the debate over evolution.

If evolution is defined as the adding of genetic information to a species of animals while adapting to its environment, then there is no evidence of evolution. However, some modern scientists are redefining evolution as any mutation that may occur into a given species. This has created a great controversy because other scientists believe that the concept of evolution does not show itself through mutations. Their argument is that many diseases are caused by the mutation of genes, and are most obviously not a positive evolving of a species. In summation, no known species of animals has ever shown an increase in genetic information {DNA} only decreases.

Yes there is. In fact, humans are evolving. It seems that wisdom teeth, the veriform appendix, and possibly the little toe are all becoming or have become vestigial. These started as mutations, and turned out to be viable ones. As such, we are seeing a small but notable increase in the number of people born without a full set of wisdom teeth, and there is indication the vermiform appendix is getting smaller. As to toes, once we ceased being arboreal, it makes sense that a full compliment of prehensile toes (that break comparatively easily on flatlands) become more of a hazard than a benefit.

Insects and fish have also evolved within certyain specialized niches. Consider subterranean populations of both of these animals that devovled eyes out of the picture when enough generations had lived in a lightless environment. The key here of course is fast population turnover, so we can see evolution actually working.