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Related Concept Videos

The Fossil Record02:56

The Fossil Record

The fossil record documents only a small fraction of all organisms that have ever inhabited Earth. Fossilization is a rare process, and most organisms never become fossils. Moreover, the fossil record only exhibits fossils that have been discovered. Nevertheless, sedimentary rock fossils of long-lived, abundant, hard-bodied organisms dominate the fossil record. These fossils offer valuable information, such as an organism's physical form, behavior, and age. Studying the fossil record helps...
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Archaea, a domain of single-celled microorganisms, are classified into five major phyla based on genetic and biochemical characteristics: Euryarchaeota, Crenarchaeota, Thaumarchaeota, Korarchaeota, and Nanoarchaeota. Among these, the phylum Euryarchaeota is notable for its remarkable diversity in morphology, metabolism, and ecological adaptations.Morphological and Metabolic DiversityMembers of Euryarchaeota exhibit a variety of cellular shapes, including rods and cocci. Their metabolic pathways...
Diversity of Protists I01:15

Diversity of Protists I

Excavata is a diverse group of protists that includes both chemoorganotrophic and phototrophic species, with some thriving in anaerobic environments. Among the key groups within Excavata are diplomonads and parabasalids, which are flagellated protists that lack mitochondria and chloroplasts. These microorganisms typically inhabit anoxic environments, such as the intestines of animals, where they exist either symbiotically or as parasites, relying on fermentation for energy production. Some...
Diversity of Protists II01:27

Diversity of Protists II

Alveolates are a group of organisms recognized by the presence of alveoli, which are cytoplasmic sacs located beneath the cell membrane. While their function remains uncertain, alveoli may help regulate water balance by controlling how much water enters and leaves the cell. In dinoflagellates, these structures may serve as armor plates. There are three major types of alveolates: ciliates, which move using cilia; dinoflagellates, which use flagella for movement; and apicomplexans, which are...
Diversity of Protists III01:27

Diversity of Protists III

Rhizaria are a diverse group of unicellular protists characterized by their threadlike cytoplasmic extensions known as pseudopodia. These structures aid in both locomotion and feeding, giving Rhizaria an amoeboid appearance. Their amoeboid morphology once led to taxonomic confusion, but molecular phylogenetics has clarified their evolutionary placement and emphasized their shared use of pseudopodia despite divergent lineages.This clade comprises diverse lineages such as Chlorarachniophyta,...
Diversity of Protists IV01:27

Diversity of Protists IV

Amoebozoa represent a diverse group of terrestrial and aquatic protists that utilize lobe-shaped pseudopodia for locomotion and feeding. This characteristic differentiates them from the Rhizaria, which possess threadlike pseudopodia. The primary classifications within Amoebozoa include gymnamoebas, entamoebas, and the plasmodial and cellular slime molds. Phylogenetic evidence indicates that Amoebozoa diverged from a lineage that ultimately gave rise to fungi and animals.Gymnamoebas and...

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A Method for Quantifying Foliage-Dwelling Arthropods
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Insect diversity in the fossil record.

C C Labandeira1, J J Sepkoski

  • 1Department of Paleobiology, National Museum of Natural History, Washington, DC 20560.

Science (New York, N.Y.)
|July 16, 1993
PubMed
Summary

Insect diversity has been high throughout most of evolutionary history, surpassing vertebrates. Their success stems from low extinction rates, not rapid species origination, with key traits established long before flowering plants.

Keywords:
NASA Discipline ExobiologyNASA Discipline Number 52-40NASA Program ExobiologyNon-NASA Center

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Area of Science:

  • Paleontology
  • Evolutionary Biology
  • Entomology

Background:

  • Insects have an extensive fossil record, yet their evolutionary success is often underestimated.
  • Understanding insect diversification requires analyzing their geochronologic ranges and comparing them to other taxa.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the evolutionary history and diversity of insect families.
  • To determine the factors contributing to insect diversification and radiation.
  • To investigate the timing of insect evolution relative to major environmental changes, such as the rise of angiosperms.

Main Methods:

  • Compilation and analysis of geochronologic ranges for insect families.
  • Comparative analysis of insect diversity with vertebrate tetrapods and marine invertebrates.
  • Examination of insect origination and extinction rates throughout their evolutionary history.

Main Results:

  • Insect diversity has exceeded that of preserved vertebrate tetrapods for 91% of their evolutionary history.
  • Insect diversification is primarily attributed to exceptionally low extinction rates, similar to slowly evolving marine invertebrates.
  • The major radiation of modern insects commenced 245 million years ago, independent of angiosperm expansion.
  • Essential insect trophic mechanisms were established approximately 100 million years prior to the appearance of angiosperms.

Conclusions:

  • Insect evolutionary success is characterized by remarkable stability and longevity, driven by low extinction rates.
  • The diversification of insects predates and is not dependent on the evolution and spread of angiosperms.
  • Insects represent a highly successful and ancient lineage whose evolutionary trajectory is distinct from many other major groups.