Paleontology: The study of fossils provides direct evidence of past life. Fossils allow us to trace the history of life on Earth, and they can also tell us about the environments in which organisms lived.

Molecular biology: The study of DNA and proteins provides information about the genetic relatedness of organisms. DNA is the genetic material of all living things, and it contains the instructions for building and maintaining an organism. By comparing the DNA of different organisms, we can learn about their evolutionary relationships.

Developmental biology: The study of how organisms grow and develop provides insights into the evolution of new traits. Developmental processes are controlled by genes, and changes in these genes can lead to new traits that may be beneficial to an organism.