Coevolution Flashcards
Coevolution Definition
Coevolution occurs when two or more species reciprocally affect each other’s evolution, often through close ecological interactions like predation, mutualism, or competition
Mutually Beneficial Relationship Between Plants and Insects Example
Many plants and pollinating insects, such as bees, have a mutualistic relationship where plants provide nectar as food for insects, and in return, insects help pollinate the plants, aiding their reproduction
Insect Pollination of Orchid C. saccatum Process
As insects like bees or moths enter the flower to access nectar, they get covered in pollen, which they then carry to other flowers, facilitating cross-pollination
History of Moth X. morgani praedicta’s Naming Story
Darwin predicted a pollinator with a long proboscis to match the Madagascar orchid’s long floral tube. Years later, X. morgani praedicta, a moth with the necessary long proboscis, was discovered, confirming Darwin’s hypothesis
Mutualistic Relationship Between Plants and Mycorrhizal Fungi Example
Mycorrhizal fungi form symbiotic relationships with plants by attaching to their roots, helping absorb nutrients and water, which benefits plant growth and drought resistance
Coevolution of Rough-Skinned Newt and Red-Sided Garter Snake Description
Rough-skinned newts produce a potent toxin as a defense. The red-sided garter snake has evolved resistance to this toxin, leading to an evolutionary arms race between the two species
Insects’ Detrimental Effects on Plants Examples
(1) Herbivory, where insects eat plant leaves, (2) laying eggs inside plants, damaging internal tissues, and (3) spreading diseases that harm plant health
Ehrlich and Raven’s Hypothesis on Plant and Insect Diversity Explanation
Ehrlich and Raven suggested that plants and insects diversify through an “evolutionary arms race” as plants develop defenses and insects evolve ways to overcome them
Biologist’s Beetle Quote
J.B.S. Haldane famously stated that biology taught him if there is a Creator, “he had an inordinate fondness for beetles,” referring to their immense diversity
Number of Known Beetle Species Estimate
There are approximately 400,000 known species of beetles, making them one of the most diverse groups in the animal kingdom
Diversity of Flowering Plants Possible Reason
Flowering plants are highly diverse due to coevolution with pollinators, which drives specialized adaptations and speciation
Amusing Beetle Event of 1478
In 1478, a Swiss town issued an anathema (religious curse) against beetles for damaging vineyards, illustrating early humans’ attempts to “control” pests
Insight of Entomologist A.L. Melander in 1914
Melander noted that insects could develop resistance to insecticides, but his warning was largely ignored until widespread resistance issues arose later
Evolution of DDT Resistance in Insects Process
Genetic variation allowed some insects to survive DDT exposure; over time, these resistance individuals reproduced, leading to a population predominately resistant to DDT
Ways Mutant Insects Resist Pesticides Examples
(1) Metabolizing pesticides into non-toxic substances, (2) developing thicker exoskeletons, and (3) reducing sensitivity in neural targets
