Are spiders related to crabs? Study the order of arthropods with a reading selection about animal diversity. It provides details about each class within the order, as well as vivid pictures and explanatory charts. 

Discover the meaning and history behind any last name.

These pages are part of a site called Evolution that accompany a textbook by the same name. Mark Ridley is the author. In this section: the universal genetic code provides evidence that life has a common ancestor.

Good discussion of both sides of the debate over the origins of birds. Presents the recent evidence that seems to lean in the direction of the pro-dinosaur ancestry argument.

A short but effective synopsis providing much of the information collected over the years in terms of deciding the evolutionary ancestry issue. Article takes the pro-dinosaurian stance in the end, but includes good, if not brief,...

Site provides a good overview of avian evolution debate without taking a firm stance on the dino-ancestry issue. Gives the broad ideas concerning bird origin and evolution.

Explains what homologous structures are and how they indicate common ancestry between species. Discusses morphological homology, which refers to anatomical and skeletal similarities, and molecular homology, which refers to common...

The Tiv are a group of about a million people who live on both sides of the Benue River, 220 kilometers from its confluence with the Niger, in Nigeria. "Tiv" is the name of the common ancestor from whom all are descended. There is a...

Biography and analysis of the works of John Greenleaf Whittier. Describes his Quaker upbringing, his role as an abolitionist, honors bestowed upon him, and his ballads. Includes analysis of his anti-slavery poetry and "Snow-Bound." Use...

These pages are from the Understanding Evolution website for teachers. They focus on homologous structures that organisms with common ancestors share.

By examining fossils, scientists have collected evidence that supports the theory that species changed over time. As you read this article, study this evidence and critically evaluate whether it indicates that species may have arisen by...

This site briefly unravels the ancestry of the modern horse from the Hyracotherium.

The differences between thermodynamic entropy and logical entropy are explained, especially how they relate to the second law of thermodynamics. Entropy in biology is also discussed.

Explains how the eyes of very diverse species have a common genetic ancestry.

Provides a very basic look at the anatomy of a mollusk including the proposed anatomy of what the mollusc ancestor probably looked like. Hyperlinks to individual animals in the mollusk group.

There are more than five hundred different species of skates and rays in our oceans. Scientists say that these fish are closely related to sharks, sharing a common ancestor from around 400 million years ago. This article provides an...

Ths Bibliomania site provides a biography of the 19th century American poet Oliver Wendell Holmes (1809-1894). Discusses his ancestry, childhood, education, and career in medicine and literature. Includes analyses of his works and a...

This Bibliomania site provides a biography of James Russell Lowell (1819-1891). Discusses his ancestry, education, and work as a poet, essayist, and satirist. Describes Lowell's role in the Abolitionist movement. Includes suggestions for...

This website contains information on Alex Haley's slave ancestor Kunta Kinte. Haley's novel "Roots" is also discussed.

This site focuses on Odysseus including his ancestry, his participation in the Trojan War, his ten-year journey at sea, and pictures and myths about him

This site focuses on the Greek hero Heracles including his ancestry, pictures, events in his life, and links to myths about him.

This site focuses on Achilles including his ancestry, his participation in the Trojan War, and his weakness ("Achilles heel"). It offers links to pictures and myths about Achilles.

This site focuses on Calchas, ancient Greek seer famous for his interpretations of omens. It includes his ancestry, his part in the Trojan War, and his death.

Explains that analogous structures are ones that are similar in different organisms yet have no common ancestry. This type of phenomenon occurs with convergent evolution. Includes lots of examples for both animals and plants.