What on Earth Evolved? ... in Brief: 100 species that have changed the worldWhy have creatures evolved as they are? Which species have been the most successful? How do life forms adapt to a world dominated by nearly seven billion humans? Christopher Lloyd leads us on an exhilarating journey from the birth of life to the present day, as he attempts to answer these fundamental questions. Along the way, he reveals the stories of the 100 most influential species that have ever lived, from slime, dragonflies, and dung beetles to dogs, yeast, and bananas. These 100 species are scored and ranked in order of their impact on the planet, life and people. What on Earth Evolved ... in Brief? is a lively and eye-opening insight into mankind's place in nature, and our pivotal relationship with the Earth itself: past, present and future. |
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adapted addictive Africa algae America ancestors ancient animals Archaeopteryx Asia bacteria bacterium bananas became began birds brain breeding called camels cats cells cent century Charles Darwin China coca creatures crops cultivated culture cyanobacteria Dimetrodon dinosaurs disease domesticated drug Earth East effects elephants eucalyptus Europe European evolutionary evolved extinction FAMILY farming feed females fish flavour flowering flowering plants forests fossils fruit genes genetic global grass growing habitat highly Homo erectus Homo sapiens horses human populations immunity impact India infection land Lepidodendron living Lystrosaurus maize mammals metres million years ago modern natural nature’s origins oxygen parasite Penicillium pepper pigs pioneered plants potato predators produce Prototaxites Quetzalcoatlus rabbits RANK rats Rhizobia rice scientists seeds sexual slime mould species sperm whale spread success sugar survival thanks theropod thrive Tiktaalik today’s transported trees velvet worm virus viruses Water Mould whale wild worldwide worms