11/ evolution in real time Flashcards
1
Q
macro vs micro evolution
A
- macro slow
- micro fast
2
Q
what can cause rapid evolutionary change
A
- competition.
- exploitation
- climate change
- parasites
3
Q
competition details
A
- 2 species w v similar requirements can’t coexist.
- one species must go extinct or evolve new requirements, and extinction is faster than evolution.
- Darwin’s finches bill size - geospiza fortis
4
Q
exploitation details
A
- much exploitation is selective, eg harvest the biggest
- like process of natural selection
- hunting of bighorn sheep where biggest individuals were targeted led to reduction in animal size, reduction in horn length, fluctuations in pop size
5
Q
exploitation - evolution of body size and maturity in cod
A
- net targets larger fish
- sexual maturity depends on size
- when exploitation of cod was particularly strong, maturation was at a younger age hence smaller size
6
Q
climate change - flowering date and temp relationship
A
- negative relationship - as temp increases, flower earlier
7
Q
parasites - rabbits and myxomatosis
A
- rabbits were a big pest
- myxoma virus introduced as pest control
- 1st epidemic - 99% mortality
- 2nd epidemic - 90% mortality
- 3rd epidemic - 40-60% mortality
- coevolution of virulence and resistance
- selection on parasites w lower virulence as they can cause more secondary cases
- selection for rabbits w increased resistance
- rapid evolution - parasites have short lifespans
8
Q
what can phylogeny tell us
A
- evolutionary history of a group
- which lineages have gone extinct and when
- can map on other data and look at phylodynamics
9
Q
measles vs influenza evolution
A
- measles: no selection, spread randomly. cases peak in line w school calendar - evolution less important
- influenza: selection, peaks consequence of mutation and selection - evolution more important
10
Q
other applications of fast evolution
A
- pesticide resistance
- cancer treatments and drug resistance
- superbugs
