Key Innovations:

Question 1

What are key innovations in evolutionary biology?

Answer 1

Significant evolutionary changes that enable organisms to exploit new ecological niches or adapt to changing environments, often leading to increased diversification.

Question 2

What key innovations occurred in the Early Cambrian?

Answer 2

The evolution of complex eyes, segmented bodies, and exoskeletons/shells improved predator-prey interactions.

Question 3

Describe a key innovation from the Silurian:

Answer 3

The development of jaws and paired fins in fish facilitated more efficient feeding strategies.

Question 4

What was a significant innovation during the Late Devonian?

Answer 4

The evolution of limbs and lungs in early tetrapods like Tiktaalik (375 mya - had lungs and gills), allowing for a transition from aquatic to terrestrial environments.

Question 5

How did the amniotic egg (310 mya) contribute to evolution?

Answer 5

It enabled reptiles to reproduce on land, facilitating fully terrestrial lifestyles during the Early Carboniferous.

Question 6

How do key innovations support deterministic aspects of evolution?

Answer 6

Key innovations enable organisms to exploit new ecological niches, leading to predictable patterns of diversification as species adapt to newly available resources.

Key innovations often enable a lineage to enter new adaptive zones, leading to rapid diversification.

Certain key innovations will lead to specific evolutionary outcomes.

Question 7

What is adaptive radiation, and how does it relate to determinism?

Answer 7

Adaptive radiation occurs after key innovations when species rapidly diversify into various forms. This process reinforces deterministic outcomes by favoring specific adaptations that enhance survival in new niches.

Question 8

What animal was the first amniote?

Answer 8

Casinera (340 mya)