Top ten evolution articles in 2008

How trees changed the world: 450 million years ago, there was no such thing as a tree, with few plants growing more than a centimeter tall. Between then and now, things happened to give another dimension to plant growth and to create the diversity we see today.

Reclaiming the peppered moth for science: The peppered moth used to be the textbook example of evolution in action. Then, about a decade ago, creationists began an orchestrated campaign to discredit it 8211; and with it the entire edifice of evolution. Now biologists are fighting to take it back.

Uncovering the evolution of the bacterial flagellum: The whip-like tail of some bacteria has become the cause celebre of the 8216;intelligent design8217; movement and a focal point in science8217;s ongoing struggle against unreason.

Evolution: What missing link? 8211; The fossil record used to be thought of as a patchy and unreliable record of evolutionary change. Today, that record is much more dependable. When it comes to 8216;transitional fossils8217; 8211; those that bridge the gap between major groups of organisms 8211; we now have some excellent examples.

Evolution: 24 myths and misconceptions 8211; Evolution is perhaps the best known yet least understood of all scientific theories. New Scientist presented the facts behind common misunderstandings that have grown up around the concept.

Rewriting Darwin: The new non-genetic inheritance 8211; We resemble our parents and can fall prey to the same diseases mainly because we inherit their genes. Yet, there is another form of inheritance that does not rely on genes, one that allows characteristics to be passed on that are acquired during a person8217;s lifetime.

The Ordivician: Life8217;s second big bang 8211; The Cambrian period, starting about 540 million years ago, is famous for the appearance of all but one of the types of creatures we see around us today. Yet in terms of new species, this period cannot hold a candle to a little-known explosion of life called the Great Ordivician Biodiversification Event.

Vestigial organs: Remnants of evolution 8211; From goosebumps to wisdom teeth, vestigial organs have long perplexed biologists. What was their original purpose and what happened to make them redundant?