The Species That Broke Evolution?

Summary

This video from MinuteEarth challenges the notion of 'living fossils,' explaining that all species evolve over time due to genetic mutations. While some, like gars, evolve slowly, others like the tuatara have rapidly mutating genes. The video illustrates that the rate of evolution varies, and even 'living fossils' like coelacanths and horseshoe crabs show subtle changes, emphasizing the continuous process of evolution. It concludes with a personal anecdote on skill development through Skillshare, highlighting the importance of change for personal growth.

Takeaways

• 🌏 The concept of 'living fossils' is challenged; species like gars, horseshoe crabs, and coelacanths, once thought to be evolutionarily static, are actually changing, albeit at different rates.
• 🔬 Charles Darwin's notion that certain species are 'frozen in time' is incorrect as all species undergo evolution due to genetic mutations over time.
• 🧬 Genetic mutations are a biological rule, occurring randomly as individuals reproduce, with some mutations aiding survival and reproduction, while others are detrimental and do not persist.
• 🐟 Gars, a type of predatory fish, have a remarkably slow rate of genetic mutation compared to most vertebrates, which contributes to their slow evolution.
• 🦈 Despite their slow evolution, gars can still interbreed with closely related species that shared a common ancestor over 100 million years ago, resulting in fertile offspring.
• 🦀 Horseshoe crabs and coelacanths do not evolve slowly; their genes mutate at a similar rate to most other animals, challenging the 'living fossil' label.
• 🦎 The tuatara, another 'living fossil,' actually has the fastest evolving genes of any vertebrate studied, indicating rapid genetic change.
• 🦈 The horseshoe crab's successful body plan may be so well-adapted to its environment that mutations leading to significant changes are less likely to be preserved.
• 🐟 Coelacanths have evolved in subtle ways that are not easily noticeable, such as differences in the placement of facial bones between modern and ancestral species.
• 🦎 The tuatara's rapid evolution may be attributed to both its skeleton's subtle changes over time and its body shape's near-perfect adaptation to its burrowing lifestyle.
• 📚 The video also promotes Skillshare as an online learning platform for creatives, offering classes that can help individuals level up their skills and productivity, as exemplified by the presenter's experience with Ali Abdaal's Notion masterclass.

Q & A

What is the term used to describe species that appear to have remained unchanged over long periods of time?

The term used to describe such species is 'living fossils'.

Why did Darwin call certain species 'living fossils'?

Darwin called them 'living fossils' because they seemed to be evolutionarily frozen in time, showing little change over millions of years.

What is a biological rule that all species must follow?

All species must change over time due to the nature of genetic mutations and evolution.

How do genetic mutations affect an organism's survival and reproduction?

Some genetic mutations can hurt an organism's ability to survive and reproduce, leading to their elimination, while others can help or not affect it, allowing them to persist.

Why do some species like gars evolve at a slower rate than others?

Gars have genes that mutate thousands of times slower than most other vertebrates, although the exact reason for this is not fully understood by scientists.

How does the slow rate of evolution in gars affect their genetic similarity with other species?

The slow rate of evolution allows gars to remain genetically similar to other species to the point where they can still interbreed and produce fertile offspring.

What is an example of a 'living fossil' that has genes that mutate at the same rate as most other animals?

Coelacanths and horseshoe crabs are examples of 'living fossils' with genes that mutate at a rate comparable to most other animals.

Why might the physical appearance of some 'living fossils' like the horseshoe crab not change significantly?

The horseshoe crab's body plan works exceptionally well in its marine environment, and mutations that significantly alter this form may reduce its environmental fit, leading to a return to the successful form.

How does the tuatara, another 'living fossil', differ from others in terms of genetic mutation rate?

The tuatara has the fastest evolving genes of any vertebrate studied, which is a contrast to the slow mutation rates seen in other 'living fossils'.

What could be a reason for the tuatara's rapid evolution despite its seemingly unchanged appearance?

The tuatara's skeleton is subtly changing over time, and its body shape appears to be perfectly adapted for its burrow-dwelling lifestyle, which might explain the rapid evolution.

Why might some changes in a species not be visible in the fossil record?

Changes that occur internally, such as adaptations to new environments or physiological changes, may not be apparent in the fossil record and require more detailed examination to detect.

How does the video script relate the concept of 'living fossils' to personal development and learning?

The script uses the concept of 'living fossils' to illustrate the importance of change and adaptation, both in nature and in personal growth, as exemplified by the host's experience learning Notion on Skillshare.