Brief Summary of the Evidence for Evolution
*Direct proof of evolution exists in the fossil record, where evolution can be seen taking place over time on large scales. A wealth of striking examples of this exist, in every corner of the planet.
Example: the fossil transitions from land-dwelling ungulates to ocean-dwelling whales, the fossil transitions from reptilian vertebrates to modern mammals.
*Indirect evidence in the distribution of organisms - the most likely reasonable way in which many of these distributions occured is evolution and speciation.
Example: the variety of finch species on the Galapagos islands - all obvious variations from a pre-existing species, all showing adaptations to suit their environment and avoid competition.
*Modern observations of evolution, and direct proof of natural selection exist.
Example: the evolution of bacteria to avoid being targeted by antibiotics.
*Experimental observations of "natural selection".
Example: artificial selection for heat resistance in fruit flies.
*The existence of intermediary stages between major groups of animals - these appear to be the descendants of our ancestors; once again, all over the world.
Example: monotremes (such as echidnas and the platypus).
*The existence of neat groups of animals, which are clearly related to each other, where common descent seems the best explanation for this relatedness, all over the world.
Example: Everything in biology.