EXPERIMENT 2 SYSTEMATICS AND PHYLOGENY

FABRO, B. T., GUZON, M. A. F., RAMIREZ, C. L., RIVERA, M. A. Department of Biology, College of Science, University of the Philippines Baguio November 27, 2013 ABSTRACT Students create a taxonomic classification and phylogenetic tree for Caminalcules that shows the principles of classification and some processes of evolution to display the evolutionary relationships between organisms. Caminalcules diverged from a common ancestor causing variations in characters. As time goes by, some characters are developed while others are reduced. Different factors are considered in the increase and decrease of probability of organisms to be extinct.

INTRODUCTION In the study of biology, scientists or researchers often categorize things in the right order using diagrams, sketches and other illustrations. Some characteristics are observed and are used to put them in their right category. And a case in point, in which classification occurs, would be the study of the course of evolution. The construction of phylogenetic trees helps in the further understanding of how organisms changed or developed in order to survive under certain changes over time. The laboratory activity thus aimed to illustrate the principles of classification and some of the processes of evolution, and help in learning how to use the phylogenetic tree to show the evolutionary relationship between organisms. MATERIALS AND METHODS Materials: -several pair of scissors -Manila paper -Glue

-Pentel pen -meter stick -lab manual (Caminalcules) Methods: We planned the method of plotting the phylogenetic tree; we tried both methods, to plot the evolutionary tree by taking steps back, by starting at living Caminalcules, or by starting the tree by taking steps forward on evolution, and start with the simplest organism. We decided it would be easier to start from the most basic organism, since we can work with a smaller number of species. The evolutionary tree was then drafted into a piece of paper where it was checked and verified. Then twenty lines were drawn to the manila paper, representing a million years per line, starting from 19 MYA to present, 0. The Caminalcules were then cut and then glued on the manila paper, starting with the most basic, to the most evolved organism. Evolutionary lines to connect ancestors, and their descendants were drawn, completing the Phylogenetic tree.

A hierarchical classification of living caminalcules was then created using both visual data, and from the Phylogenetic tree. Grouping the organsims into their respective order, family, genus, and species.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION This activity focuses on gaining knowledge on systematics and phylogeny, with the use of imaginary organisms, Caminalcules. These organisms were grouped from order down to the species belonging to a certain genus.

Like all organisms, the ancestor of the living species of Caminalcules came from one ancestor, which is species 73. This species gave rise to species 74 (O1), having prominent eyes, and species 58 (O2) having no eyes. This two species would later be the ancestors of the two orders of the Caminalcules. For the order coming from species 58, one family (F4) and one genus (G6) will be derived from this and will give rise to 3 species namely species 14, 13, and 28. These species almost never acquired new characteristics; therefore they are the

Fig 1. Taxonomic Caminalcules.

classification

of

living

Fig 2. Phylogenetic tree of the living species

species that resemble the most common ancestor the most. For the order coming from species 74, three families were its descendants. The first family (F1) would only have only one genus (G1), having a long body and wing-like structures as their defining characteristics, would then give rise to species 19 and 20. The second family (F2) has a short body musculature as their defining characteristic and would then give rise to 3 genera. The first genus (G2) with only one living species, 9, has retained its short body and arms like projections. The second genus (G3) gave rise species 3 and 4 having heads with one pointed antenna and straight hands with fingers. The third genus (G4) had no antennas on their head but had long and bent hands with fingers as evident in species 22, 12 and 2. The genera G2 and G3 have their common ancestor in species 41 with spotted backs as their shared characteristic different from G1. The last family (F3) coming from O1 would give rise to one genus (G5) with a bulging back as their shared characteristic. This genus would then give rise species 16, 24 and 1 with the form of their eyes their defining characteristics. CONCLUSION With the use of the imaginary organisms Caminalcules, a taxonomic classification and phylogenetic tree were made. This was made possible by knowing if a characteristic is common among the descendants, and if these characteristics would then give to more different characteristics that would be helpful in identifying and classifying these organisms.

ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS 1. You will notice that some lineages (e.g., the descendants of species 56) branched many times and are represented by many living species. Discuss the ecological conditions that you think might result in the rapid diversification of some lineages (A real world example would be the diversification of the mammals at the beginning of the Cenozoic, right after the dinosaurs went extinct). - There may be rapid and/or numerous changes on their food, and environment, causing several evolutionary steps to occur. A good example would be the Finches on the Galapagos Islands. These Finches evolved from a single ancestor, because of their changing environmental conditions. A particular region of the island may have an abundancy of nuts, thus the finches that live on that environment needs a specialized beak for breaking open nuts. A part of the Island may have an abundance of other living organisms as food, therefore the birds need to adapt specialized beaks to easily hunt down prey. As the case for the mammals, since the extinction of the dinosaurs, a huge part of the predatory organisms were wiped out, giving the mammals a chance of propagation. They migrated to several areas of the

Earth, each possessing different environmental conditions; it may once be a hunting ground for predators, giving rise to several evolutionary variations to different organisms. 2. Some lineages (e.g. the descendants of species 58) changed very little over time. A good example of this would be living fossils like the horseshoe crab or cockroach. Again, discuss the ecological conditions that might result in this sort of long-term evolutionary stasis. - The ecological conditions that might have resulted in such longterm evolutionary stasis would be the favorable weather or state by the organisms. Weather changed over time, but it might be that the weather did not really harm the organisms. Also, the ability to reproduce and adapt still, might have been the reason why some organisms changed very little over time. 3. Some Caminalcules went extinct without leaving descendants. In the real world, what factors might increase or decrease the probability of a species going extinct? - Nature has its own way of choosing of which organisms are going to live until the present day or die and get extinct through the course of time a process known as natural selection. There are several factors in which an extinction of species happens. If an organism is large enough, they tend to produce fewer offspring at widely

spaced intervals. This means fewer offsprings and successors in many generations of time and therefore, lesser chance of survival in the ever changing world. Humans are also great threats in endangering wildlife. Humans hunt for commercial purposes like elephant tusks for ivory, crocodiles skin for leather, and baleen whales to make comb. These animals are on top of the food chain, and if they get extinct, the reverse effect is expected animals below the food chain will increase in number and thus, the equilibrium of the species population is destroyed. 4. Find two additional examples of convergent evolution among the Caminalcules. This means finding cases where two or more species have a similar characteristic that evolved independently in each lineage. The wing of bats, birds and bees is an example of convergence since the three groups did not inherit the characteristic form their common ancestor. Write your answers in complete sentences (e.g., Species x and y both have ___ but their most recent common ancestor, z, did not). List two additional real-world examples of convergent evolution (ones that we have not already talked about in class) and discuss what might have caused the convergence. - Convergent evolution is evident in species 48 and 51. They developed wing-like structures not present in their most common ancestor, species 74. In the real

world, sharks and dolphins have fusiform bodies, countershaded skin, and lived in water though they are fish and mammal, respectively. The eyes of vertebrates and cephalopod mollusks are also striking evidences of convergent evolution having eyes with aperture, lens and retina. 5a. Describe two examples of vestigial structures that you can find among the Caminalcules. These are structures that have been reduced to the point that they are virtually useless. -The inner toe of species 66 was reduced in 3 million years ago, until it was virtually useless in species 22. The elbow like projection of species 35 evolved from the outer toes of species 56. As time goes by, its inner toe grows longer and longer and the two outer toes were left by and developed like an elbow projection until species 63, where the protrusion can no longer be seen. The back patches of species 16, 24 and 1 were reduced from species 56 for 8 million years ago.

5b. Explain how vestigial structures provide clues about a species evolutionary past. Illustrate your argument with vestigial structures found in humans or other real species. -Vestigial structures were once a functional part of an organism, necessary for its survival, but since evolution decided the structure would not benefit an organism's survival, they now form, and remain as nonfunctional structures. These organs can hold the key to understanding the origins of an organism, and its various species. In humans the Plica Semilunaris, is the small fold of tissue located on the inside corner of the eye, the plica semilunari are the vestigial remnants of what are referred to as "nictitating membranes" which are most commonly found in birds, reptiles, and amphibians. This suggests that birds, reptiles, amphibians, and us, mammals, once intertwined, that we were once from the same ancestor.

REFERENCES: Gendron, R. P., (2000). The Classification & Evolution of Caminalcules. The American Biology Teacher, 62(8), 573-575 http://www.zo.utexas.edu/courses/THOC/Convergence.html http://io9.com/5829687/10-vestigial-traits-you-didnt-know-you-had http://www.nabt.org/websites/institution/File/pdfs/american_biology_teacher/2000/062-080570.pdf