Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Being Bigger is Better and Faster

The researches working at the National Evolutionary Synthesis Center conducted a study where they reviewed the national selections of hundreds of species of birds, lizards, snakes, insects and plants. They found that the larger body size and earlier seasonal timing including breeding, blooming or hatching have a larger effect in their survival.

However, the puzzling part is that why the concept of “bigger is better” is so common in evolution study. The authors studied “Goldilocks” model known as stabilizing selection, where they argued the idea of having rare cases of being intermediate size that survive and reproduce better. For example, human birth weight: newborns of intermediate size are more likely to survive than newborns that are extremely large or small, but it is rare case. The reasons for why it’s so puzzling concept is because most creatures are well adapted to the environment in which they live.

The authors presented three possible explanations for this puzzling concept. One possibility is that evolving to be bigger and faster comes at cost meaning there can be a trade off between their survivals and reproducing. Another possibility is that the environments changes from seasons to seasons, in which the trait that has greater advantage changes over time such as in Darwin’s finches’ example, where large-beaked and small-beaked birds were favored due to availability of seeds. The third possibility is that natural selection drives one trait in one direction. For example, it can be advantage for flying insects to evolve larger wings and smaller bodies for more efficient flight; however, insects with larger wings having larger bodies cannot evolve.

From these explanations, the authors concluded that the third explanation limits the evolution of body size. However, the traits related to timing and/or body shape does not correlate with the idea of “Goldilocks” model.

Posted by Arpita Patel

26 comments:

  1. I feel that the first explanation seems most reasonable. I feel there is a strong correlation between the size of the organism and its ability to reproduce. Of course, there are benefits and costs to being large. A larger organism could be more easily identified meaning they are predated more often than their smaller peers. On the other hand, they could have the upper hand when it comes to competition among their own species. Overall, I feel that an average size is probably the best size since you get the best of both worlds.

    Kevin McLaughlin

    ReplyDelete
  2. It makes sense that an intermediately sized offspring would be more successful. If the offspring is two small it probably did not get enough nourishment during development and will have a lesser chance of survival upon birth. A larger offspring will have to struggle to find enough food when they are born to accommodate the bigger size. If the offspring is intermediate size they will not have to face these problems.
    I also feel like the authors first and last explanations are almost the same thing. They are both saying that animals who are unsuccessful in terms of survival or reproduction will not evolve.

    -Jessica Kusmirek

    ReplyDelete
  3. Arpita,

    The evolution of the size of organisms, or the size of parts of organisms as in the case of Darwin's finches, take all of these things into account. You mention stabilizing selection, but that is a far too narrow-minded theory. You need to also take into account both directional and disruptive selection. For example, directional selection comes into play in ponds where the smallest fish survive because they are more able to escape the bigger species of fish by swimming between tiny spaces in rocks and such. And, of course, if this fish were very big instead, the bigger species of fish may not bother it, in which case this would be disruptive selection. And yes, clutch size and individual egg sizes are inverses of each other. The more energy inputed into a single egg, the bigger and more likely it will survive. Amphibians typically lay thousands of very small eggs (r-selection), while we humans have one of so at a time, excluding Octomom. We practice k-selection. And as for natural selection driving evolution and body size, that is a no-brainer; of course it does.

    Posted by Derek Melzar

    ReplyDelete
  4. I feel the size of the organism definitely has to do with the rate of reproduction. Also sexual selection could have a big part in it. Also, when the organism is big the chances of its predators finding it are large. Intermediate offsprings are the best I would think because they are not too big and would be able to hide more often. The big ones would be good because they could potentially be the predators. But the middle sized ones I think would have the best chance of survival since they r in the middle. I don't know I think I have to look more into this subject to fully understand it!


    Cleopatra Duque

    ReplyDelete
  5. Last semester I took a marine vertebrates class where we learned a general trend that the lower in latitude or the colder the climate, the larger the average body size of animals. This study reminded me of this trend. It could be that larger body sizes has an advantage in a more variable climate due to global climate change. This is the same concept that those species that are evolved to survive in high temperature climates have a lower tolerance for global temperature increase.

    -Posted by Marlena Grasso

    ReplyDelete
  6. The problem with insects especially ones that are large is that they have a small surface-area-to-body-size ratio making it difficult to get oxygen to muscles such as the ones involved in flight, so being larger as you implied is a disadvantage. On a response for a question on one of my posts, I mentioned that larger insects overcome the size issue by having more air sacs to make their air intake more efficient. In this case, more and bigger air sacs is better.

    Posted by: Nelson Milano

    ReplyDelete
  7. Larger individuals are typically better fit. There are plenty of biological exceptions, such as human babies. They are most healthy within a certain body weight range. Larger or smaller than the ideal weight results in complications with the childbirth or complications with the mother after. Although, bigger can be better.

    Reed Allen

    ReplyDelete
  8. Kevin,
    I agree with you on the first explanation. Bigger size organisms have some benefits as they can compete more easily for food and some disadvantages as they are predated, however, they can also attempt to defeat themselves from predator as being large. I would definitely agree that intermediate size benefits better.

    Jessica,
    I feel the same way about medium sized offspring would survive better without facing problems like small and bigger sized offspring would do. Also, first and third explanations say same thing as one benefits and other one doesn’t. But the author also believes that medium sized offspring are rare cases to be found than other sized offspring, which are common, especially larger sized, which are capable of surviving in seasonal changes.

    Derek,
    I see that the author only uses the idea of stabilizing selection while they can take the ideas of directional and disruptive selections into account to overcome their explanations into more details. So they can differentiate among sizes and their benefits and explain the “Goldilocks” model as in why there are fewer cases of the intermediate sized organisms. Sizes do matter for survival and reproduction.

    Cleopatra,
    I definitely agree on the idea of predation among medium and bigger sizes of organisms. Bigger would have low survival due to being exposed to predators more than medium sizes but they would also survive because they can defeat themselves as they are larger in size and be predator themselves. However, medium size would benefit more in all terms.

    Marlena,
    It’s good that you made connection from your other course. I do agree on the concept of environmental changes. Organisms have their own optimal temperatures for survival. As the climate is changing day by day, more species are dying because of their optimal temperature is no longer there.

    Nelson,
    Having small surface-area-to-body-size ratio does make sense as having disadvantage in flight. Larger size insects can be incapable of lifting their weight or incapable to slow down or speed up during flight. However, they might have advantages in mating or protection. Also, as you mentioned about having more air sacs in large size, it would benefit them in better oxygen supply and assist them in flight by lowering the specific gravity.

    Posted by Arpita Patel

    ReplyDelete
  9. The authors first and last explanations are almost similar. They are both saying that animals who are unsuccessful in terms of survival or reproduction will not evolve.
    If the offspring is two small it probably did not get enough food during development and will have a lower possibility of surviving during birth. -Jean Fedna

    ReplyDelete
  10. 5 years ago I had warts, I was treated with some liquid applied to the warts they continued to grow and spread... The next 2 doctors did laser surgery to remove them. 1 year after the surgery, they grew back close to where the 1st ones were' so I was finally told it was hpv. I have had it for very long time, I contract it from my cheated boyfriend and I found out he was also infected and I end up the relationship between us. the warts was so embarrasses because it started spreading all over I have be dealing with this things for very long time the last treatment I take was About 2 years ago I applied natural treatment from Dr onokun herbal cure, a week after applying the treatment all the warts was gone. it's now 2 years and some months I don't have single wart or any symptoms of hpv. wow"" it's great, Dr onokun has finally cured me. Anyone living with hpv contact Dr onokun for natural treatment.
    His email address: dronokunherbalcure@gmail.com‎

    ReplyDelete
  11. i was diagnose with genital warts,last six months which finally shows out! i had hpv. for very long time i suffered for the virus and i was told there is no hpv cure. except treatment to control it i just fill killing my self because there was no hope all i could think loosing my life because it was so embarrass for been hpv patient. about few weeks ago i read possible natural cure on line which was guarantee and i purchased it. after two weeks taking herbal treatment the hpv got eliminated by killing all symptoms and the warts in my genital area disappeared. it so amazing i got ride to the hpv. i so much like to shear this testimony to every article for others living with hpv there is possible natural herbs to eliminate it. email Dr onokun for help. his herbal clinic address; dronokunherbalcure@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  12. I was diagnose with human papilloma virus (HPV) 4 years ago and i met a doctor he told me there is no cure and i have be taking some medication the warts multiplied when trying to removed them and it got me embarrass and pains, luckily few weeks ago i was recommend to Dr Onokun for natural treatment after one week i got 100% cure and all the wart and pains got disappeared, i sheared this post because its part of my life experience, encase anyone need speedy help about this cure email Dr Onokun via, dronokunherbalcure@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  13. I'm 61 years old, I contracted hpv in 2011' I has be taking lot treatment for it and embarrassedsome months ago the wart stated coming out seriously, I used lot recommendation because there was lot warts around my anus and was so . but today I'm totally happy I got the virus eliminated by using natural treatment from Dr Onokun herbal center after his treatment I got cured. all the warts went away' seriously believed Dr Onokun he have the cure for human papillomavirus because he has eliminated hpv been in my body since 2011, Dr Onokun make it possible for me. Here is Dr Onokun email to reach him: Dronokunherbalcure@gmail.com  he is welled capable of curing terrible diseases.  

    ReplyDelete
  14. I Want To Appreciate Dr.OYAGU for hs great deeds, I Was Diagnosed With type 2 Herpes Virus Last year,And Was Look For Solution To Be Cured Luckily I Saw Testimonies On How Dr.OYAGU Cure Herpes Virus I Decided To Contact Dr.OYAGU I Contacted Him He Prepared A Herbal Medicine Portion And Sent It To Me,I Started The Herbal Medicine For My Health.He Gave Me Step By Step Instructions On How To Apply It, When I Applied It As Instructed, I Was Cured Of This Deadly Herpes Within 2 weeks, I Am Now Herpes Negative.My Brother And Sister I No That There Are So Many People That Have There Same Herpes Virus Please contact Dr OYAGU To Help You Too,And Help Me To Thank Dr.OYAGU For Cure Me, I’m Cured By Dr. OYAGU Herbal Medicine,His Contact Email:oyaguspellcaster@gmail.com

    Or Cell Whatsapp Number +2348101755322 thank you .....

    ReplyDelete
  15. I Want To Appreciate Dr.OYAGU for hs great deeds, I Was Diagnosed With type 2 Herpes Virus Last year,And Was Look For Solution To Be Cured Luckily I Saw Testimonies On How Dr.OYAGU Cure Herpes Virus I Decided To Contact Dr.OYAGU I Contacted Him He Prepared A Herbal Medicine Portion And Sent It To Me,I Started The Herbal Medicine For My Health.He Gave Me Step By Step Instructions On How To Apply It, When I Applied It As Instructed, I Was Cured Of This Deadly Herpes Within 2 weeks, I Am Now Herpes Negative.My Brother And Sister I No That There Are So Many People That Have There Same Herpes Virus Please contact Dr OYAGU To Help You Too,And Help Me To Thank Dr.OYAGU For Cure Me, I’m Cured By Dr. OYAGU Herbal Medicine,His Contact Email:oyaguspellcaster@gmail.com

    Or Cell Whatsapp Number +2348101755322 thank you .....

    ReplyDelete
  16. Greatest thanks to Dr Oyagu for his herbal drugs that he prepared for me and when i start using it in just 2weeks i was completely cured and that ended my HERPES SIMPLEX 1&2 DISEASE i am so happy and grateful to Dr Oyagu . after reading about him on a testimony of Jason Cash on a blogger. i knew suddenly Dr Oyagu was the right Doctor to cure my HERPES SIMPLEX 1&2 DISEASE. i discuss with Dr Oyagu and he prepared a herbal medicine for me and when it got sent to me in south korean . i used the herbal medicine and 2weeks and i went to check up again. after 15years of suffering from HERPES SIMPLEX 1&2 at last i am smiling once again. Dr Oyagu also has remedy to others disease like COLD SORES,HIV/AIDS,DIABETES.CANCER,HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE AND MANY MORE. I oblige everyone to contact this powerful herbalist Dr Oyagu and be free from your suffering. contact his WhatsApp line:+2348101755322 or his Email:Oyaguspellcaster@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  17. I Want To Appreciate Dr.OYAGU for hs great deeds, I Was Diagnosed With type 2 Herpes Virus Last year,And Was Looking For Solution To Be Cured Luckily I Saw Testimonies On How Dr.OYAGU Cure Herpes Virus I Decided To Contact Dr.OYAGU I Contacted Him He Prepared A Herbal Medicine Portion And Sent It To Me,I Started The Herbal Medicine For My Health.He Gave Me Step By Step Instructions On How To Apply It, When I Applied It As Instructed, I Was Cured Of This Deadly Herpes Within 2 weeks, I Am Now Herpes Negative.My Brother And Sister I No That There Are So Many People That Have There Same Herpes Virus Please contact Dr OYAGU To Help You Too,And Help Me To Thank Dr.OYAGU For Cure Me, I’m Cured By Dr. OYAGU Herbal Medicine,His Contact Email:oyaguspellcaster@gmail.com

    Or Cell Whatsapp Number +2348101755322 thank you .....

    ReplyDelete
  18. Greatest thanks to Dr Oyagu for his herbal drugs that he prepared for me and when i start using it in just 2weeks i was completely cured and that ended my HERPES SIMPLEX 1&2 DISEASE i am so happy and grateful to Dr Oyagu . after reading about him on a testimony of Jason Cash on a blogger. i knew suddenly Dr Oyagu was the right Doctor to cure my HERPES SIMPLEX 1&2 DISEASE. i discuss with Dr Oyagu and he prepared a herbal medicine for me and when it got sent to me in south korean . i used the herbal medicine and 2weeks and i went to check up again. after 15years of suffering from HERPES SIMPLEX 1&2 at last i am smiling once again. Dr Oyagu also has remedy to others disease like COLD SORES,HIV/AIDS,DIABETES.CANCER,HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE AND MANY MORE. I oblige everyone to contact this powerful herbalist Dr Oyagu and be free from your suffering. contact his WhatsApp line:+2348101755322 or his Email:Oyaguherbalhome@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  19. Greatest thanks to Dr Oyagu for his herbal drugs that he prepared for me and when i start using it in just 2weeks i was completely cured and that ended my HERPES SIMPLEX 1&2 DISEASE i am so happy and grateful to Dr Oyagu . after reading about him on a testimony of Jason Cash on a blogger. i knew suddenly Dr Oyagu was the right Doctor to cure my HERPES SIMPLEX 1&2 DISEASE. i discuss with Dr Oyagu and he prepared a herbal medicine for me and when it got sent to me in south korean . i used the herbal medicine and 2weeks and i went to check up again. after 15years of suffering from HERPES SIMPLEX 1&2 at last i am smiling once again. Dr Oyagu also has remedy to others disease like COLD SORES,HIV/AIDS,DIABETES.CANCER,HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE AND MANY MORE. I oblige everyone to contact this powerful herbalist Dr Oyagu and be free from your suffering. contact his WhatsApp line:+2348101755322 or his Email:Oyaguherbalhome@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  20. I was diagnose with genital warts since 2013 i have be taking lot treatment and all i got is outbreak. in 2016 I gave up the treatment because I can't continues wasting time and money on treatment at the end it will not cure me. about 6 weeks ago i did natural research online I had So many people talking good about natural remedy, after the research i was recommended to Dr Lucky, And I wrote to him through his email and told him my problem after some conversations with him he gave me natural treatment after 1 week Dr Lucky btreated me i got cured permanently. and i went to see my doc he confirmed that the diseases has gone out from my body. every patients should know there is 100% natural hpv cure. contact Dr Lucky his email address: {drluckyherbalcure@gmail.com} or WHATSAPP HIM VIA
    +2348154637647

    ReplyDelete
  21. I found out, that taking herbal treatment is the best to get rid of (HPV) as soon as i feel the symptoms of (HPV) is appearing, i took the healing process by contacting Dr LUCKY  for natural treatment it works wonders, amazingly ever since I had the herbal treatment i have not feel these horrible disease anymore and my doc told me the virus is gone, i am glad i finally got cured out from this horrible disease. every (HPV) or herpes patients should also get in touch with this herbalist Dr to get ride of these disease forever his email address;  (drluckyherbalcure@gmail.com)

    ReplyDelete
  22. HELLO EVERYONE.. FEW MUNINETS TO REDY THIS INFOR ON HERPES CURE 2018..
    2017 MY MOTHER WAS DIAGNOSED OF HERPES/ KNOWN AS GENITAL WARTS ,I SPENT A LOT OF MONEY ON HER MEDICATION TILL A POINT I EVEN LOST HOPE,BECAUSE MY MOTHER WAS GRADUALLY DYING AND LOST HER MEMORY TOO, I WAS SO DESPERATE TO GET MY MOTHER BACK TO NORMAL, ONE DAY MY UNCLE WHO LIVES IN LONDON UNITED KINGDOM TOLD ME ABOUT DR OLIHA ,WHO HELPED HIM GET RID OF HERPES /GENITAL WART WITH HERBAL MEDICINE AND HIS HERBAL SOAP ,I WAS SO SHOCKED WHEN HE TOLD ME ABOUT THIS ,ALTHOUGH I NEVER BELIEVE IN HERB BUT, I KEEP TO BELIEVE BECAUSE MY UNCLE CAN'T TELL ME LIES WHEN IT COMES TO HEALTH CONDITION I CONTACTED DR OLIHA VIA HIS EMAIL; OLIHA.MIRACLEMEDICINE@GMAIL.COM , YOU CAN TALK TO HIM VIA CALL OR WHATSAPP MESSENGER ON +2349038382931 , HE REPLIED AND ASK ME TO SEND MY HOME ADDRESS AND MY MOTHER'S DETAIL AND THEN I PURCHASED THE HERBAL MEDICINE,SENT ME THE HERBAL MEDICINE THROUGH COURIER SERVICE, WHEN I RECEIVED THIS HERBAL MEDICINE USED IT FOR 2 WEEKS, AND 4 DAYS OF USAGE THE WARTS FELL OFF, MY MOTHER I NOW TOTALLY CURED AND MY MOTHER IS LIVING FREE AND HAPPY AGAIN. YOU CAN TALK TO DR VIA HIS MOBILE NUMBER OR WHATS APP HIM ON +2349038382931.ALL THANKS TO DOCTOR DR OLIHA

    ReplyDelete
  23. I'm 61 years old, I contracted hpv in 2011' I has be taking lot treatment for it and embarrassed some months ago the wart stated coming out seriously, I used lot recommendation because there was lot warts around my anus and was so . but today I'm totally happy I got the virus eliminated by using natural treatment from Dr Onokun herbal center after his treatment I got cured. all the warts went away' seriously believed Dr Onokun he have the cure for human papillomavirus because he has eliminated hpv been in my body since 2011, Dr Onokun make it possible for me. Here is Dr Onokun email:  dronokunherbalcure@gmail.com 

    ReplyDelete

  24. Life is always beautiful when you have good health.i have be in pain For almost 2 years had Hpv and I was lonely and sad luckily I was directed to a very kind and Great Dr Oyagu who helped me cure my Hpv and today I am free from Hpv and very healthy thank you so much Dr Oyagu Email him: oyaguherbalhome@gmail.com or whatsapp him via +2348101755322

    ReplyDelete
  25. I contracted hpv from my ex partner we broke up the relationship about four years ago, I has been on treatment for some years, I had lot pains and embarrassment for been hpv patient last two month i did hpv research online and found website for natural treatment to get ride of my infection, and i went through the site and recommend me to Dr onokun I contacted Dr onokun through his website and been his patient after one month I got cured. I want everyone living with hpv to get this treatment and got cured Dr onokun have the cure to every virus. his email; Dronokunherbalcure@gmail.com or website: https:// Dronokunherbalcure.wordpress.com/

    ReplyDelete
  26. i have been suffering from a deadly disease (Hsv) for the past 3 years now, I had spent a lIot of money going from one places to another, from churches to churches, hospitals have been my home every day residence. Constant checks up have been my hobby not until this faithful day, I was searching through the internet, I saw a testimony on how Dr Onokun helped someone in curing his (Hsv) herpes disease, quickly I copied his email which is Dronokunherbalcure@gmail.com just to give him a test I spoke to him, he asked me to do some certain things which I did, he told me that he is going to provide the herbal cure to me, which he did, then he asked me to go for medical checkup after some days after using the herbal cure, behold I was free from the deadly disease, he only asked me to post the testimony through the whole world, faithfully am doing it now, please brothers and sisters, he is great, I owe him in return. if you are having a similar problem just email him on : Dronokunherbalcure@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete