Shayna Follington
260463495
1. The researchers involved in this experiment observed a period
in time characterized by a rapid diversification of species. This
study on polychaete worms was initiated to uncover the driving
mechanisms and unique conditions that facilitated opportunities
for such an incredible radiation of complexity. The question is:
what trigger can explain why life, which had been relatively
unchanging and simplistic for such a long period of time, began
diversifying at this specific point in time.
The authors discuss two possible hypotheses. The first and most
prominent is the hypothesis that rising oxygen levels in the
ocean environment were the abiotic drivers that resulted in a
shift of evolutionary relationships, thus triggering the radiation.
The second is an ecological hypothesis that suggests the
radiation was a result of increased pressure to develop new body
plans brought on by the emergence of predation.
2. In this study, internal controls refer to animal-animal
interactions and other ecological and genetic changes. External
controls differ in that they refer to the abiotic drivers, such as
environmental changes, that indirectly influence the evolutionary
relationships. For example, an external control discussed in the
study is the increase in oceanic oxygen levels. This
environmental change could possibly be linked to an example of
an internal control: the arms race between newly developed
predators and their prey.
Internal controls were insufficient in fully outlining the unique
conditions providing the opportunity for radiation. Although some
genetic changes can be directly linked to the increase in disparity
during the radiation, there is no evidence to explain the timing at
which it occurred.
3. The maximum estimates for nemerteans and priapulids are
based on molecular clock ages that constrain the evolution of
carnivory. Minimum estimates for nemerteans are confidently
constrained at the origin of the crown group of Nemertea since
all extant species are carnivores. Priapulids are believed to have
evolved carnivory around the Proterozoic-Cambrian transition,