BIOL 108 Introduction to Biological Diversity - PDF

BIOL 108 Introduction to Biological Diversity Topic 1: Biodiversity Lecture A2 Yan-yin Wang Your instructor Lecture: Yan-yin Wang ([email protected]) Field of expertise: Comparative anatomy Vertebrate palaeontology (likes...

BIOL 108 Introduction to Biological Diversity Topic 1: Biodiversity Lecture A2 Yan-yin Wang Your instructor Lecture: Yan-yin Wang ([email protected]) Field of expertise: Comparative anatomy Vertebrate palaeontology (likes to think himself good at) Biomechanics Office hour: By appointment Suggestions are welcome throughout the semester Lab: Manon Lepage (she/her) ([email protected]) The many TAs @Matthrew Rhodes Important Correction Final Exam is tentatively set on December 17th at 1:00 pm. Course Learning Outcomes BIOL 108 provides an overview of the major lineages of life on Earth. At the end of the course, students should be confident to: Apply taxonomic and phylogenetic principles to interpret the evolutionary histories of organismal groups. Understand and explain geological evidence and evolutionary theories for the origin and diversification of life. Explain the timing and importance of major events in the history of life that have shaped current-day biodiversity. Identify and explain the key adaptations of prokaryotes, protists, plants, fungi, and animals that contribute to the phylogeny, diversity and ecological relationships of each group. Course resources Lecture All resources on lecture eClass Syllabus (please read it) Course schedule Policies on grades Quizzes Supplementary learning resources Quizzes and exams will be based only on the contents in class. Texts labelled by “#” is not required for quizzes and exams. Unless I show specific labels (e.g. arrows), figures on ppt slides are not used for quizzes and exams. Lab All resources on lab eClass BIOL108 LABS Who What When Where Why Who? Lab Coordinator: Manon Lepage (she/her) - [email protected] Lab content eClass page Quizzes, lab examinations TA supervision Teaching Assistants (list on eClass to come later this week) Teach the content, procedures and lead learning activities Answer questions about assignments Mark assignments and lab exams What? Material for the BIOL108 labs Lab manual (version 2024-2025) Lab coat All available at the bookstore (lower level of SUB) Note: safety glasses will be provided when necessary for BIOL108 Where? Center Wing (CW) room 105 to 125 Need to go in the room stated on your official Beartracks schedule When? First week of labs: September 9-13 PLOT TWIST → few things to complete before your first lab When? Full lab schedule available: In the lab manual On eClass (front page) When? Assignment Due Dates On eClass ○ Tab: Assign. And Quizzes Policy Why? 1. Biodiversity is fun (obviously) 2. Lab - course within a course a. Workload b. Grade distribution Come prepared Stay on track with the lab schedule Start assignments early Checklist before Lab 1 1. Get your lab essentials from the bookstore a. Forget your lab coat? We always have extras - check with your TA 2. Review the Lab 1 material a. Lab 1 in the lab manual b. Lab 1 online module (eClass) 3. Complete the pre-lab quiz a. Due the evening before your lab (11:59 pm) b. Illimited attempts Checklist before Lab 1 1. Get your lab essentials from the bookstore a. Forget your lab coat? We always have extras - check with your TA 2. Review the Lab 1 material a. Lab 1 in the lab manual b. Lab 1 online module (eClass) 3. Complete the pre-lab quiz a. Due the evening before your lab (11:59 pm) b. Illimited attempts Checklist before Lab 1 1. Get your lab essentials from the bookstore a. Forget your lab coat? We always have extras - check with your TA 2. Review the Lab 1 material a. Lab 1 in the lab manual b. Lab 1 online module (eClass) 3. Complete the pre-lab quiz a. Due the evening before your lab (11:59 pm) b. Illimited attempts Lab 0 - asynchronous Remote activity on: Scientific literature Student Academic Integrity Policy CSE citations format WHMIS training Due September 30 (11:59 pm) Get a headstart on this if you can! Context Context: Many forms of life on Earth arose # A phylogeny of Archosauria. through near four billion years of history. Morden examples: You and I Fossil examples: Fossil dinosaurs All life on Earth share a common ancestor. Common features are present among the diverse form of life. # Gooseberry, Physalis peruviana. # The horned dinosaur, Triceratops horridus. @ Yan-yin https://www.saveonfoods.com/sm/planning/rsid/1982/prod Wang, Y. Y., Claessens, L. P., & Sullivan, C. (2023). Deep reptilian evolutionary roots of a major avian respiratory uct/cape-gooseberry-gooseberries-id-00074411002007/ adaptation. Communications Biology, 6(1), 3. Core Concept: Evolution # Darwin’s finches. Broad definition: the historical process of organisms descending from ancestral organisms with modifications (i.e. descend with modification). Example: Adaptive radiation of Darwin’s finches. Narrow definition: the different genetic composition of a population over generations. Example: Changes in genes of bacteria in response to antimicrobial substance. # The bacteria Staphylococcus aureus. Both describe changes in heritable traits over successive generations, which can lead to adaptations of organisms. Adaptations refers to traits that enhance survival and reproduction in a specific environment. Fitness refers to an individual's ability to survive, reproduce, and pass on its genes to the next generation. # https://www.cdc.gov/staphylococcus-aureus/about/index.html # Rice, S. (2020). Encyclopedia of Biodiversity. Infobase Holdings, Inc. Core Concept: Common ancestry # Structure and location of DNA. All life on Earth evolved from a common ancestor. Organisms are modified descents of common ancestor. Evidence for common ancestry of all life Genes are the units of inheritance with DNA being the language. # A phylogeny of the genus Panthera. Relevant biological questions: Does a given organism (e.g. lion) belong to a clade? Closeness of relationship among groups. What shared traits group organisms? Figueiró, H. V., Li, G., Trindade, F. J., Assis, J., Pais, F., Fernandes, G.,... & Eizirik, E. (2017). Genome-wide signatures of complex introgression and adaptive evolution in the big cats. Science Advances, 3(7), e1700299. Core Concept: Character and Traits Definitions: Character: a heritable feature of a given # Mendel and his work ((ノ д ́)ノ彡┻━┻ not the peas, not the peas!). organism. Trait: A specific condition/state of the character. Observable and measurable diversity in species/populations are results of accumulating heritable features after divergence from the common ancestor. # Feathers of birds. https://askabiologist.asu.edu/explore/feather-biology Stenseth, N. C., Andersson, L., & Hoekstra, H. E. (2022). Gregor Johann Mendel and the development of modern evolutionary biology. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 119(30), e2201327119. Core Concept: Biodiversity # The pistol shrimp, Synalpheus pinkfloydi discovered in 2017. Definition: The variety of life on Earth. Animals, plants, fungi, bacteria, etc. Number of species Over 2 million living species are identified and described (Catalogue of Life). Mora et al (2011) estimates 8.7 million based on the Catalogue of Life. The number is even higher if fossil species are counted. New species are being discovered and existing species are being revised. Anker, A., Hultgren, K., & De Grave, S. (2017). Synalpheus pinkfloydi sp. nov., a new pistol shrimp from the tropical eastern Pacific (Decapoda: Alpheidae). Zootaxa, 4254(1). Types of Biodiversity # Phylogeny of ray-finned fishes. 1. Species diversity Number of species or higher taxonomic units Example: about 25,000 species of living ray- finned fish. Species: Population(s) that can interbreed with members of the same group in nature and produce viable, fertile offsprings. Monitoring institutions study the numbers of species in an area (e.g. ABMI) or on a global scale (e.g. ICZN). Human activities such as construction can impact the species diversity. Anker, A., Hultgren, K., & De Grave, S. (2017). Synalpheus pinkfloydi sp. nov., a new pistol shrimp from the tropical eastern Pacific (Decapoda: Alpheidae). Zootaxa, 4254(1). Types of Biodiversity # Genetic diversity represented by colours in carrots, Daucus carota. 2. Genetic diversity: Various versions of genetic composition within and among populations of a single species. Population: A group of individuals of the same species that live in the same area and interbreed, producing fertile offspring. A species with limited distribution may consist of a single population. A widely dispersed species may form multiple populations. Genetic diversity of a species is one of the cornerstone for evolution. https://i.pinimg.com/originals/ee/06/a1/ee06a183e87b4b2060b22989ee7fc3f5.png Types of Biodiversity # Likely a species of carp. 3. Ecosystem diversity: the variety of habitats and the relationships among them (e.g. predator- prey, host-parasites). Ecosystem: the environments that species live, interact, and breed (e.g. temperature, humidity). @ Yan-yin Wang # Juvenile Canada goose, Branta canadensis. # Other types of biodiversity: # Developmental diversity: the variety of ways embryos growth. # Form and function diversity: Various anatomy, physiology, and behaviours exhibited by members of populations, species, and higher units of classification. @ Yan-yin Wang  # Potato infested by the fungus Phytophthora infestans. Benefit of Biodiversity Facilitate maintenance of healthy ecosystem and provide sustainable ecosystem service to human populations, which may include: 1. Provision of materials such as oxygen, food, water, medicine. Example 1: Irish Potato Famine was worsened as # The extinct gastric-brooding frog, Rheobatrachus silus. potato crops were susceptible to pathogens due to the lack of genetic diversity in potato (historic recap: TEDed). Example 2: The extinction of the Australian gastric-brooding frog remove the potential to address some stomach problem such as ulcer. https://news.cornell.edu/stories/2014/06/irish-potato-famine-pathogen-originated-mexico https://www.rosspiper.net/2009/10/07/what-devilry-is-this/ Benefit of Biodiversity Facilitate maintenance of healthy ecosystem and # The severity of deforestation in Amazon rainforest. provide sustainable ecosystem service to human populations, which may include: 2. Regulating services: Benefits beyond provisioning materials such as stabilising climates. Example: The deforestation of the Amazon rainforest contributes to climate change and destabilisation of the ecosystem. https://www.maaproject.org/2023/amazon-deforestation-fire-2022/ Benefit of Biodiversity # Depiction of Métis Bison Hunt. Facilitate maintenance of healthy ecosystem and provide sustainable ecosystem service to human populations, which may include: 3. Supporting services: Architectural function critical to the viability of the ecosystem such as recycling of materials within the ecosystem. 4. Cultural services: Intangible benefits influencing their traditions, spiritual beliefs, and practices. https://indigenousconnect.org/metis-rights/ Threats to Biodiversity # The Chinese paddlefish, Psephurus gladius was declared extinct in 2019. Species loss: Extinction: the last individual of a species is dead, or its survival cannot be considered beyond reasonable doubts. Extant species: at least one individual is still living. Extirpation: The local extinction of a species in a # Henry, the Tuatara, Sphenodon punctatus. certain geographical area, but its populations can be found in other locations. The IUZN Red List has categories between extant and extinct, such as Endangered species: A species that is in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range. https://twitter.com/kunhm/status/1214684174403166209 https://i0.wp.com/whyevolutionistrue.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/tuatara.jpg?ssl=1  # Wildfires in B.C. 2024. Threats to Biodiversity Four major types: Habitat loss: natural environments become unable to support the local species. Human activities are one of the greatest cause. Loss and fragmentation of habitats almost always lead to decrease in biodiversity. # Experiment on habitat fragmentations. Example: Wildfires in Amazon rain forest are mostly caused by human activities, and 20% of the biomass has already been lost. Long running experiments are being conducted to estimate the negative effects of habitat loss. Haddad, N. M., Brudvig, L. A., Clobert, J., Davies, K. F., Gonzalez, A., Holt, R. D.,... & Townshend, J. R. (2015). Habitat fragmentation and its lasting impact on Earth’s ecosystems. Science advances, 1(2), e1500052. https://news.ubc.ca/2024/03/the-2024-wildfire-season-has-started-heres-what-we-need-to-know/  # The Chinese alligator, Alligator sinensis in conservation cetre. Threats to Biodiversity An example from China: Chinese alligators are now only found in one province ( ), and fossil evidence suggest a much wider distribution. Agricultural activities and deforestation still @ Yan-yin Wang have conflicts with conservation and restoration # Map of China. of their natural habitats. These have led to and continuously contributing to the extirpation of Chinese alligator. India has similar challenge with a species of crocodilians called the gavial. Can you find an example from your hometown/country? https://geology.com/world/china-satellite-image.shtml  # The Pacific rats, Rattus exulans with a cunning look. Threats to Biodiversity Four major categories: Habitat loss. Invasive species: A species, often introduced by humans, that takes hold outside its native range. # Henry, the Tuatara, Sphenodon punctatus at a burrow entrance, looking innocent. Lack natural predator, parasites, or pathogens. They can grow in number and spread rapidly. Have negative impacts on the local ecosystem. Example: Tuatara inhabited main islands of New Zealand until the arrival of Maori people (~740 years ago), who introduced Pacific rats. Pacific rats consumes eggs of tuatara, leading to extirpation of tuatara to small, off coast islands. https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/2691/the-pacific-rat Good flatmate: https://www.stuff.co.nz/environment/110320524/footage-shows-tuatara-hiding-out-in-seabirds-burrow # Rental disagreement between a kiwi and a tuatara. Threats to Biodiversity # The bluefin tuna, Thunnus thynnus. Four major categories: Habitat loss. Invasive species. Overexploitation: harvesting of wild plants or animals at rates exceeding the ability of populations of those species to recover. # The Wood bison, Bison bison athabascae in Saskatcnewan. Example 1: Myer and Worm (2003) estimates that more than 90% of predatory fish (e.g. tuna) have been depleted. Example 2: The Wood bison was on the first list of endangered wildlife in Canada in 1978 due to a century of overhunting. https://www.fiskepleje.dk/fiskebiologi/tun/new-tagging-project-on-bluefin-tuna https://www.inaturalist.org/guide_taxa/1312122 Threats to Biodiversity Plausible phenomenon: Four major categories: o Species from warm climate may expand but Habitat loss. may be limited by habitat loss. Invasive species. o Warmer and dries weather resulting from Overexploitation. climate change may lead to natural disaster Global climate change: Significant, long- like wildfire, which in turn lead to habitat term changes in the patterns of temperature, loss. precipitation, wind, and other aspects of # Estimated changes in temporal zones by 2080. Earth's climate. By the end of this century, the average temperature of Alberta will likely increase by at least 2°C. If the rate of climate change exceed the rate at which organisms and ecosystems can adjust, biodiversity would likely decline. https://naturealberta.ca/life-in-a-warmer-world/ Proposed Notions # Illustration of the biosphere. Learning biodiversity: Is meaningful, even if we take a human- centred point of views. Help us understand our relations with other organisms on Earth (humans only account for 0.01% global biomass). Inform us the consequences of our actions and help us make better decisions. https://www.australianenvironmentaleducation.com.au/education-resources/what-is-the-biosphere/