Tentative Lecture Schedule

1 Evolution: Pattern and process; Natural

Selection
Evolutionary Biology:
2 Microevolution: Population Genetics, genetic
The study of Diversification drift
(and Biodiversity) 3a Speciation;
3b Macroevolution: Geologic and Fossil record
4 Phylogenetics

Prof. R. Geeta
BOT 202
12/1/10

Pattern & Process components of

True or False? scientific theories
1. Variation of traits in living organisms is a necessary The cell theory
starting point for evolution to occur.
• Pattern component:
2. Mutations arise in a species with the purpose of
helping the species to become better adapted to – All organisms are made up of
its environment.
cells
3. Natural selection acts to favor traits that are for
the good of the species; e.g., animal behavior is • Process component:
shaped for the good of the species. – All cells arise from pre-
4. Individual plants evolve over time to become better
adapted to their environments.
existing cells
 There are many types of organisms
Evolution happens
(Multiplicity), which vary (Diversity), but also
• Biodiversity: Pattern of variation
resemble each other (Unity). This
BIODIVERSITY is organized in a Nested – Multiplicity, Diversity, Unity
Hierarchy – Adaptedness
• Evolution: Process of generation of
variation (Descent with modification)
Species are adapted to their
environments
How does this pattern of variation arise?

Evidence for evolution-1

The Historical Context
Wallace (evol, natl sel) Evidence for change over time
Evolution
Darwin (evol, natl sel) • Fossils resemble living species (but
Essentialism Lyell•Species vary )
(uniformitarianism
differ from them)
vary (evol, mech.) •Species are related to
Species don’t Lamarck
Species don’t change each other to different
Cuvier (Paleontology)
• Fossils are species gone extinct
extents
Linnaeus (Taxonomy) •Species change (fossils) • Vestigial traits reflect past function
1700 1725 1750 1775 1800 1825 1850 1875 1900
 Species form a nested hierarchy
Evidence for Evolution-2 Similar species live in the same
Evidence for relatedness of species geographic area

• Nested hierarchy Species are somehow related

• Taxa (Taxonomic systems) to each other
• Traits (Homology) What process/es relates them?
• Biogeography
Species change over time
• Closely related species may live close to
each other Descent with modification

Transformation of Individuals:
Evolution and mechanism Lamarck
• “Innate tendency” of individuals to
Wallace (evol, natl sel) change
Darwin (evol, natl sel) • Individual acquire new traits
Lyell (uniformitarianism) (“adaptation”)
Lamarck (evol, mech)
• Inidividuals pass on acquired traits
Cuvier (Paleontology)
to progeny
Linnaeus (Taxonomy)

1700 1725 1750 1775 1800 1825 1850 1875 1900

Transformational Theory
 Variational Theory Artificial Selection

Variation within species

0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5

Differential survival Wild Mustard Bud size (cm)

AND reproduction
over time

Change in species time

0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5
…and, several (10-15) generations of selection later….

Variation between species

0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5
Brussels sprouts

Microevolution: Anagenesis
Natural Selection Change within a species/lineage

“I have called this principle, by

which each slight variation, if A'

useful, is preserved, by the term

Time
Natural Selection.”
Charles Darwin A
 Macroevolution: Cladogenesis
Splitting of species/lineages
Evolutionary tree
D
A'' Multiplicity

E Diversity

A' C
Unity
(Similarity)

Otto-http://www.zoology.ubc.ca/~bio336/

Natural selection Natural selection:

“one long argument” one long argument

Obs 4: Obs 5 Some

Individual variations are
Inference 3
organisms heritable
Inference 1 Inference 2 If the
Obs 1: Organisms within Inf 3
Individuals with favorable Inf 2
More offspring have great populations vary If the
advantageous Individuals with
produced than can traits are potential fertility in traits favorable
advantageous
survive traits are more heritable, traits are
Obs 2: Natural traits are more
likely survive to evolution of populations Inf 1: More heritable,
likely survive to
reproduce the population normally remain offspring evolution of
reproduce
occurs constant in size produced than the
(=differential
can survive population
survival)
Obs 3: Natural occurs.
resources are
limited
 Natural Selection: Evidence
Natural Selection involves two steps Rapid Selection

Antibiotic
treatment

Random production of new Antibiotic-

resistant cells
genetic variation (Mutation) selected in an
antibiotic-rich

Nonrandom retention (Survival) environment

of some of the new genetic

variants (=Natural Selection)

Lamarck vs Darwin Evolution in action

Evolution of antibiotic resistance in
Lamarck Darwin tuberculosis bacteria
Wallace
Bacteria within a There is
population vary in a selection for
Because drug
trait for antibiotic bacteria with
resistance is a
resistance the trait for
heritable trait,
Obs 4 antibiotic
the frequency
resistance
of drug
Inference 2
resistance cells
More bacteria
The drug increases over
are produced
resistance trait time.
than survive
is heritable Inference 3
Inference 1
Obs 5
(Obs 1-3)
 Natural Selection: Evidence
No Selection Selection
Rapid Evolution
Year introduced
Antibiotic
treatment Penicillin 1943
Antibiotic-
resistant cells
selected in an Methicillin 1960
antibiotic-rich
environment

http://www.geo.arizona.edu/Antevs/nats104/antibioticevoln.html