Bart - Metamorphosis Flashcards
What is metamorphosis and how does it differ
from simple growth?
Metamorphosis is a biological process involving a significant and often abrupt change in body structure after birth or hatching, driven by cell growth and differentiation. Unlike simple growth, which only increases the size of an organism, metamorphosis results in the development of new organs and structures.
How does adaptive decoupling resolve genetic
conflicts between life stages?
Adaptive de-coupling allows different life stages to evolve independently by either differentiating gene expression across stages or through gene duplication, which enables the optimisation of traits for specific life
stages without compromising the other.
What role do ontogenetic diet shifts play in the
evolution of metamorphosis?
Ontogenetic diet shifts are critical in the evolution of metamorphosis because they allow organisms to optimise resource use by specialising in different food sources at different life stages, reducing competition and improving survival.
How does the redheaded pine sawfly, Neodiprion lecontei, illustrate adaptive decoupling?
Neodiprion lecontei demonstrates adaptive decoupling through its distinct larval stages that are specialized for feeding, and sexually dimorphic adults, where males and females are optimized for finding mates and selecting hosts, respectively.
What are the costs associated with metamorphosis, and how are they balanced by benefits
The costs of metamorphosis include the energy expenditure for transformation, vulnerability to preda-
tion during larval and pupal stages, and the risk of developmental errors. These costs are balanced by
the ecological advantages of specialisation and the ability to exploit different niches.
What is the significance of the pupal stage in holometabolous development?
The pupal stage in holometabolous development is a critical transition phase where the organism undergoes extensive reorganization to transform from a larval stage to an adult. This stage allows for the development of structures necessary for the adult form, such as wings and reproductive organs.
How does hemimetabolous development differ from holometabolous development?
Hemimetabolous development involves a gradual transformation with no pupal stage, where immature forms (naiads) resemble adults but develop wings and genitalia later. Holometabolous development, however, includes a distinct larval stage and a pupal stage where the organism undergoes a complete metamorphosis.
What are the key differences between ametabolous and paurometabolous development?
Ametabolous development involves direct development without significant change in form, where nymphs resemble adults. Paurometabolous development involves gradual transformation with no pupal stage, where nymphs gradually acquire adult features such as wings and reproductive organs.
How does the feedback loop between food resources and developmental needs maintain the stability of metamorphosis?
The feedback loop between food resources and developmental needs maintains the stability of metamorphosis by ensuring that the benefits of accessing new resources through metamorphosis outweigh the costs, thereby supporting the evolutionary persistence of this strategy.
What does the term “evolutionary trapping” mean in the context of metamorphosis?
Evolutionary trapping refers to the situation where a species becomes overly specialised due to metamor-
phosis, making it difficult to revert or adapt to changing environmental conditions, potentially leading to
population decline or extinction.
