Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 16, 2025
09:19
Measuring the Structure, Composition, and Change of Underwater Environments with Large-area Imaging
Published on: April 18, 2025
714
Evolutionary norm-breaking and extinction in the marine tropics
1Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, University of California, Davis, CA 95616.
Summary
Geographic location significantly influences evolutionary innovations in marine mollusks. The Indo-West Pacific shows higher rates of novel adaptations and lower extinction compared to the Atlantic-East Pacific.
Area of Science:
- Paleontology
- Evolutionary Biology
- Marine Biology
Background:
- Evolutionary innovations are typically studied phylogenetically.
- Geographic distribution suggests geography also influences trait evolution.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the geographic distribution of evolutionary innovations in Neogene marine mollusks.
- To investigate the relationship between geography, innovation, and extinction.
Main Methods:
- Analyzed 99 fossilizable innovations in tropical marine Neogene molluscan clades.
- Compared innovation rates and extinction between the Indo-West Pacific (IWP) and Atlantic-East Pacific (AEP) realms.
- Compiled extant species data for 30 pantropical molluscan clades.
Main Results:
- 79% of innovations occurred in the IWP, versus 21% in the AEP.
- Innovations often represent defensive/competitive adaptations or habitat specialization.
- Per-species innovation incidence is higher in the IWP.
- Extinction rates were 5% in the IWP vs. 38% in the AEP.
Conclusions:
- Geographic factors, not just phylogeny, drive evolutionary innovations.
- Large-scale environmental disruption limits adaptive innovation.
- Current biosphere conditions may offer limited opportunities for future adaptive evolution.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:38Limits to Natural Selection
31.5K
Organisms that are well-adapted to their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce. However, natural selection does not lead to perfectly adapted organisms. Several factors constrain natural selection.
31.5K
01:07Speciation Rates
21.3K
Overview
21.3K
02:55The Evidence for Evolution
43.2K
Genetic variations accumulating within populations over generations give rise to biological evolution. Evolutionary changes can result in the formation of novel varieties and entire new species. These changes are responsible for the diverse forms of life inhabiting the planet. The evidence for evolution suggests that all living organisms descended from common ancestors.
43.2K
01:50Threats to Biodiversity
22.6K
There have been five major extinction events throughout geological history, resulting in the elimination of biodiversity, followed by a rebound of species that adapted to the new conditions. In the current geological epoch, the Holocene, there is a sixth extinction event in progress. This mass extinction has been attributed to human activities and is thus provisionally called the Anthropocene. In 2019 the human population reached 7.7 billion people and is projected to comprise 10 billion by...
22.6K
02:35What is Evolutionary History?
38.9K
Scientists record evolutionary history by analyzing fossil, morphological, and genetic data. The fossil record documents the history of life on Earth and provides evidence for evolution. However, both fossil and living organisms offer evidence that outlines Earth’s evolutionary history.
38.9K
02:16Genetics of Speciation
19.4K
Speciation is the evolutionary process resulting in the formation of new, distinct species—groups of reproductively isolated populations.
19.4K