Explain the fluid mechanics principle known

as a “Reynolds Number” and describe its

relevance to the life of single cell protists
like Paramecium.
 Symbiotic Hypothesis

3 ways in which
Colonial Hypothesis
a multicellular
organism could
evolve from a
protist.
Cellularization Hypothesis
Ernst Haeckle (1834-1919)
and the Theory of Recapitulation

Haeckel promoted the influential (but no

longer widely held) recapitulation theory
("ontogeny recapitulates phylogeny") claiming
that an individual organism's biological
development, or ontogeny, parallels its
species' evolutionary history, or phylogeny.

In what way does Haeckle’s colonial

theory for the origin of animals reflect
his believe in “recapitulation”?
 (Haeckle’s favorite)

Gastrea
Blastea Gastrea
Strengths:models exist (Volvox, choanoflag.)
: parallels animal embryology
Weaknesses: ???
 (Haeckle’s favorite)

Blastea

Gastrea

Strengths:models exist (Volvox, choanoflag.)

: parallels animal embryology
Weaknesses: ???
Similarities of Choanocytes (sponge cells)
and choanoflagellates (protozoan)

Choanocyte Choanoflagellate
Choanoflagellates live as solitary and colonial forms
a. Phylogeny based on protein
domain comparisons

b-d. choanoflagellate cells bear a single

Flagellum and an apical collar of actin-
filled microvilli (bracket, c). D. an
overlay of b-tubulin (reen), polymerized
actin (red) and DNA (blue) localization
reveals the position of the flagellum
within the collar of microvilli.
Monosiga genome:
Encodes a diverse array of cell adhesion and extracellular
protein domains previously thought to be restricted to
metazoans. (cadherin required for cell sorting and adhesion
during embryology (why in protist????)

Lectins….cell recognition, adhesion

Integrin and immunoglobulin…adhesive and immune functions

Collagen domains: Key component of basement membrane in

metazoan tissues

Why present in a species that is unicellular?

 Conclusions on Metazoan Origin

Evidence best supports the colonial theory

Choanoflagellate group is most likely ancestor;

Evidence includes cell structure and genetic
similarities

Idea that metazoans are monophyletic is supported

Systematics, Classification
and Phylogeny

Accompanying textbook
pages 19-31
II. Some Important Terms and Concepts
• Character attributes or features of organisms

•Homologous similarity due to descent from a

Character common ancestor

•Convergent similar-appearing structure evolved in

Character entirely unrelated groups

• Character various conditions of homologous

states character ex. fins of fish, arms of
humans, forelegs horses
• Character
Direction of change...Ancestral and
Polarity derived...is relative
 Convergent vs. Homologous

Ancestral vs. Derived

Distinguishing characters by these criteria is key to

learning about evolution and phylogeny.
Why?
Key rules of cladistics taxonomy

• Only shared derived homologous characters determine

phylogeny : synapomorphies

• All species in a grouping must share a recent common

ancestor

• All species derived from a common ancestor as well as

that ancestor must be included in the taxon

• All species must be in monophyletic taxa

( true reflection of evolutionary history)
Monophyletic Taxon?
A taxonomic grouping of species that evolved from a single
ancestor and includes all descendants of that ancestor

Polyphyletic Taxon:
An incorrect taxonomic grouping of species that arose
from two or more recent ancestors

Paraphyletic Taxon:
An incorrect grouping of species sharing an immediate
ancestor but not including all descendants of that
ancestor.
Key rules of cladistics taxonomy

All species in a grouping must share a common ancestor

All species derived from a common ancestor as well as

that ancestor must be included in the taxon

Thus all species must be in monophyletic taxa

all species in this taxon share a

common ancestor and all species
derived from that common
ancestor are included

Reptiliomorpha
Key rules of cladistics taxonomy

All species in a grouping must share a common ancestor

All species derived from a common ancestor as well as

that ancestor must be included in the taxon

Thus all species must be in monophyletic taxa

This is polyphyletic as the

Two lineages do not share
A recent common ancestor
Key rules of cladistics taxonomy

All species in a grouping must share a common ancestor

All species derived from a common ancestor as well as

that ancestor must be included in the taxon

Thus all species must be in monophyletic taxa

Grouping contains the

immediate common ancestor
but not all descendants of that
ancestor are included
 Ex. Vertebrate lineage
Class Pisces?
Class Reptilia?

Orthodox classification of
Vertebrate Animals.
Three important cladistics conventions in converting cladograms to
taxonomic categories:

1. Use the Linnean categories: PCOFGS

2. Minimum taxonomic decisions will be made
a. Minimize use of empty or redundant categorial ranks

Division Ginglymodi
Family Lepisosteidae
Genus Atractosteus
Genus Lepisosteus

b. Ranks of well known clades will be retained

3. Asymmetric trees containing terminal taxa may be placed at the

same hierarchal rank and listed in order of their branching sequence
(Sequencing convention)
 Ex. Vertebrate lineage

Phylogenetics nested Phylogenetics

hierarchy Sequencing convention
Orthodox classification Ph Chordata
of Vertebrate Animals. SubPh Vertebrata
Class Pisces
Class Amphibia
Class Mammalia
Class Anapsida
Class Lepidosaura
Class Crocodilia
Class Aves