The Evolution of Several Species of Insects

Elizabeth Hora
1/12/15
Websites:
#1 http://www.the-scientist.com/?articles.view/articleNo/41396/title/Genetic-Data-Clarify-Insect-Evolution/
#2 http://www.livescience.com/48663-insect-family-tree-evolution.html

Summary:
People have often wondered about the history of insects, and how they became  what they are now. A new study has looked into the evolution of insect species and how they differentiated into the many species that we see today. The research team from around the world was able to construct a family tree from an evolutionary standpoint called a phylogenetic tree. The researchers compared 1,478 protein-coding genes and compared them with insects today and fossils. Due to the technology available to sequence transcriptomes, or a set of all RNA molecules, the research team was able to compare 144 insect genuses of insects that exist today. They found out that remipedia, a type of crustacean, is the closest living relative to insects. Fossils have provided evidence that insects started to evolve 412 million years ago. Even though the results and dates are not confirmed, researchers believe that insects began to colonize land around 479 million years ago. The researchers also believe that insects started flying around 406 million years ago, which was before the fossil record started having many fossilized flying insects. The study also looks in the evolution of lice and claims that the parasites started off with the feathery dinosaurs and later went to mammals and birds. The research team also believes that the insects we see today look relatively similar to the prehistoric insect species.

Connection:
This article relates closely to what we are learning about in class. First, it talks about speciation, how a common ancestor can lead to the differentiation of species, in this case insects. The study also mapped out 1,478 protein-coding genes. Our last unit in class was about molecular genetics. We learned all about RNA and all of its different forms such as: tRNA, mRNA, and rRNA, which is what the study was able to sequence. We also learned about the structure of RNA and how each of the different types function. We also have learned about the fossil record. We know that based on where fossils are situated in the rock strata, we have a good idea of when the fossil specimens lived. This is how the research team who authored the paper was able to figure out when the insects started to differentiate from one another. Finally, the whole study was about the evolution of insects. We have learned about Darwin and his observations, and the process he followed to reach a conclusion that is accepted by scientists. Evolution describes how an original species can divide into many other species.