Evolution

Species- group of organisms that can interbreed and produce fertile offspring. Niche- role, or position, of an organism in its environment. Speciation- formation of new species

A species of moth called the sphinx moth has a tongue that is almost 12 inches long. This is more than three times its entire body length. Why would a moth need such a long tongue? A flower called Darwin’s orchid stores sweet nectar at the bottom of a really long tube. The only animal that can reach this nectar to feed is the sphinx moth. Darwin's orchids, like many flowers, rely on animals to pick up their pollen and transfer it to another flower. This is called pollination and allows the orchid to reproduce. Coevolution

Darwin’s finches of the Galapagos islands are all descended from a common ancestor from the mainland. Each species diversified according to the environment of each island and the food source which was available. Divergent Evolution

The Meadowlark is in the blackbird family and the African yellow-throated longclaw is in the wagtail family. Both live in the open grasslands, meadowlarks in the Americas and longclaws in Africa. Both have similar characteristics that fit their environment, but are two different species. Convergent Evolution

The red fox lives in missed farmlands and forests, where its red color blends in with the surrounding trees. The ears of the kit fox are larger than those of the red fox. The kit foxes large ears are an adaptation to its desert environment. The enlarged surface area of its ears helps the fox get rid of excess body heat. Similarities in structure indicate that the red fox and the kit fox had a common ancestor. Divergent Evolution

One single rough-skinned newt produces enough toxins to kill 100 humans. So you would think that nothing could eat these animals, but you would be wrong! Common garter snakes are able to eat these newts. Overtime, these snakes have become resistant to the toxins of these newts. This is good for the snakes, but not for the newts. Newts that produce a lower amount of toxins will get eaten. But if there are some newts that produce more toxins, they will be able to survive. The evolutionary change will trigger the garter snakes to evolve more resistance to higher levels of toxins. Coevolution

Australian and North American deserts each support a cryptically colored lizard species that is specialized to eat ants and is protected by sharp spines. The Australian Species, the thorny devil, is only distantly related to the American species, the desert-horned lizard. They are much more similar anatomically than either is to it’s closest living relatives. Clearly, the desert environment has posed strong challenges for survival, which have been met by evolution of similar external characteristics. Convergent Evolution

African cichilids inhabit Lake Victoria of eastern Africa. These are known to have diversified into over 300 different species in the same lake. Each cichlid has evolved to take advantage of different foods available, such as insects, algae, or other small fish. Each cichlids is specialized for its habitat, food and even behavior. This is also unique in that the diversification of each species has taken approximately less than 14,000 years. Divergent Evolution

What about the California Salamanders? Divergent Evolution

Revisiting the Peppered Moth! Using the 4 principles, describe how the peppered moth is changing by Natural Selection. Write this on your exit slip. What do YOU want to review tomorrow ?