Chapter 1

Ton Duc Thang University - Đại học Tôn Đức Thắng
Faculty of Applied Sciences - Khoa Khoa học ứng dụng
TIẾN HOÁ VÀ SINH LÝ SINH THÁI
EVOLUTION AND PHYSIOLOGICAL ECOLOGY
603067 Evolution and Physiological Ecology – Chapter 1 1

CHAPTER 1
EVOLUTION, PHYSIOLOGY
AND ECOLOGY

1 – Introduction and Definitions
1.1 –Evolutionary Biology

1.2 –Physiological Ecology
2 – Factors that influence Physiological Ecology
2.1 – Abiotic factors

2.2 – Biotic factors
3 – Conclusion: Physiological Ecology, Evolution

& Climate Change
1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 Evolutionary Biology
INTRODUCTION

Why study evolution and ecology?
- Biodiversity on earth:
- Up to 1.8 millions of
species KNOWN
Estimated number = from 5.5 to 30

millions species!
Biodiversity remains unknown in

tropical / subtropical areas
“Hot spots” of biodiversity
Biodiversity is essential for

our survival
Levels of biodiversity
 ECOLOGICAL/ ECOSYSTEM
 Different habitats, niches, species
interactions
 SPECIES
 Different kinds of organisms,
relationships among species
 GENETIC
 Different genes & combinations of
gene within populations

What is evolution?

What is evolution?
Evolution (Futuyma)
“Biological evolution ... is change in the properties of populations of

organisms that transcend the lifetime of a single individual. …individual
organisms do not evolve. The [evolutionary] changes … are those that
are inheritable via the genetic material from one generation to the
next”
Evolution
“Transformation of living organisms over time, characterized by the
change of their genetic information”

What is evolution?
Evolution
“Any change in the frequency of alleles within a gene pool from one
generation to the next” (Curtis and Barnes 1989)
Wrong definitions of evolution
“The gradual process by which the present diversity of plant and

animal life arose from the earliest and most primitive organisms, which
is believed to have been continuing for the past 3000 million years.”
(Oxford Concise Science Dictionary)
“the doctrine according to which higher forms of life have gradually

arisen out of lower...” (Chambers Dictionary)

What is evolution?
Another (!) classical misconception from evolution

An history of concepts of evolution
 Greece, Aristotle (-350) “History of animals”

First book with zoologist descriptions of living organisms
Aristotle
 From antiquity to 19th century: the creationist view
“God created all living things”

“Before Darwin, the…complexity of
organisms was ascribed to creation by
an omnipotent, beneficent designer,
namely God” (D. Futuyma).

An history of concepts of evolution
 Linnaeus (1735) “Systema Naturae”

Evolution : “"Deus creavit, Linnaeus disposuit"” Fixist
theory but first system of plant classes using the
Linnaeus
Linnaean System = (binomial) Genus + Species
Parus major Parus caeruleus
Two birds : same genus (Parus) but

different species (caeruleus and major)

An history of evolutionary theories
 Lamarck (1744-1829)
Theory of Inheritance of Acquired Characteristics”
Lamarck
If an organism changes during life in order to adapt to its
environment, those changes are passed on to its offspring
 Darwin (1809-1882)
Theory of Natural Selection (1859)
“On the Origin of Species”
Evolution : Mutation, and Natural Selection; All species of
life have descended over time from common ancestors
Charles Darwin

The Beagle

An history of evolution
 Ernest Mayr (1904-2005)

proposed the Biological Species Concept and
highlighted the role of allopatric speciation
 Theodosius Dobzhansky (1900-1975)

“Nothing in biology makes sense except in the light of evolution”
 Towards the modern synthesis (1942)

Includes Mendel’s theory of heredity, fields of
paleontology and systematics with Darwin’s view of
evolution and natural selection Stebbins, Simpson, Dobzhansky

1.2 Physiological Ecology
INTRODUCTION

Defining Physiology and Ecology
“The individual is engaged in a struggle for existence”
(Darwin)
That struggle may be of two kinds:
Physiology Ecology
The struggle to acquire the The struggle with competing

resources needed for neighbors of the same or
establishment and growth different species.

Physiology Ecology
φύσις (physis) = nature οἶκος, "house", or "environment"

λογία (-logia), = "study of" λογία (-logia), = "study of"

Physiology Ecology
Is the study of relationship Is the study of relationship

between nature and functions between an organism, other
of living organisms organisms and its environment
(INSIDE) (OUTSIDE)

Ecology and definitions
Ecosystem
An ecosystem is any geographic area

that includes all of the organisms and
nonliving parts of their physical
environment. esa.org
A terrestrial ecosystem
An ecosystem can be a natural

wilderness area, a suburban lake or
forest, or … a city.
A marine ecosystem

Ecology and Biodiversity
Ecosystem: Benefits
Roles for
Biodiversity
Recreation
Resources

….. And Physiological Ecology?
What Is Physiological Ecology?
C. Richard Tracy, J. Scott Turner, …..
Bulletin of the Ecological Society of America
Vol. 63, No. 4 (Dec., 1982), pp. 340-347
Physiological Ecology … is a biological discipline that studies the

adaptation of an organism's physiology to environmental conditions

….. And Physiological Ecology?
Definition of Ecophysiology?
Plant ecophysiology is “an experimental science

that describe the physiological mechanisms
underlying ecological observations”

Evolution and Physiological Ecology?




& Climate Change
2. FACTORS THAT
INFLUENCE
PHYSIOLOGICAL ECOLOGY

How are organisms physiologically adapted to
their environment?
Adaptation
• Are all living organisms “adapted”?

• What is an adaptation?
• What can limit adaptation to a particular
ecosystem?

How are organisms physiologically
adapted to their environment?
Adaptation to aquatic environment: respiration

How are organisms physiologically
adapted to their environment?
Adaptation to aquatic environment: the gills

Adaptations, physiology and evolution
The neo-Darwinian synthesis (…), including its emphasis natural selection as

the major driving force in evolution, led inevitably to the view that
virtually all features of organisms are adaptive.
Comparative physiologists have routinely viewed any differences among
species as adaptations … and have provided many examples that clearly
represent strong evidence for adaptations.
Nonetheless, not all features of organisms represent adaptations
to current environmental conditions.
Some, for example, represent simple inheritance from ancestors.

Adaptations, physiology and evolution

2.1 Abiotic factors

Abiotic factors
Temperature
Water
Air
Wind
Gravity
Gases (O2, CO2, Ozone)
Light
Radiations UV
Heavy metals

Abiotic factors
Effect of temperature
on water loss rate in
different arthropods

Abiotic factors
Oxygen (O2)
requirements for
different animals
depending on
their metabolic
rate / activity.

Abiotic factors
Effect of
temperature on
bees ‘ warming up
rates according to
their weight

Abiotic factors

Abiotic factors

Abiotic factors

Abiotic factors

Effect of light levels on
Abiotic factors
photosynthesis in different
species

Abiotic factors
Germination of seeds is
stimulated by nitrates
concentrations.
_
NO3 functions as a
signaling compound.

2.2 Biotic factors

In any ecosystem,
organisms interact together
by indirect or direct ways.
Individual from same

species or different species
can modify the adaptation
of local populations and
change their evolution.
Biotic factors
Predation………… “I kill and eat you”

Parasitism ………. “I live at your expense”
Competition……… “We are too many on limited food”
Commensalism…. “I use you without any cost”
Mutualism ………. “We benefit to each other”
and Symbiosis….. “We are tightly depending on each
other”

Biotic factors: Predation
Predation is consumption of one organism (the prey) by

another organism (the predator), in which the prey is alive when
the predator first attacks it. (Begon Townsend & Harper 2006)

Functional response (Holling 1959):
Holling examined the ability of three predators (shrews and mice) to

consume prey (sawflies cocoons) as prey densities changed.
The masked shrew The short-tailed shrew The deer mouse

Sorex cinereus Blarina brevicauda Peromyscus maniculatus
Sawfly cocoons

type II
type I
type I
type II
Holling defined the functional response type II: there is an upper limit
when prey densities are too high and predators handling time is limited.

True predators kill their prey more or less immediately after attacking
them.
Most of the more obvious carnivores like tigers, eagles, coccinellid

beetles and carnivorous plants are true predators, but so too are
seed-eating rodents and ants, plankton-consuming whales.
Ladybird Harmonia axyridis Plankton (Begon Townsend & Harper 2006)

Biotic factors: Parasitism
A parasitoid is an organism that lives on or in a host organism

and ultimately kills the host.
The parasitoids are a group

of insects that belong mainly
to the order Hymenoptera, but
also include many Diptera.
Braconid
Encyrtid Anagyrus
Aphidius
kamali
colemani
They are free-living as adults, but lay

their eggs in, on or near other insects

Biotic factors: Parasitism
Typical characteristics of Parasitoids (vs parasites):
1/ parasitic behavior only during early -egg/larval /pupa- stages*
2/ adults are free living*
3/ parasitoid larva kills and consumes the host
4/ body size ≈ host body size
5/ life cycle rather simple
6/ parasitoid has close taxonomic affinity with its host (insect on insect)
7/ reproductive capacity between true parasites and free living animals
* except for Stepsiptera

some exceptions to all for Hymenopterans

Biotic factors: Competition
Competition is an interaction between individuals,

brought about by a shared requirement for a
resource, and leading to a reduction in the
survivorship, growth and/or reproduction of at least
some of the competing individuals concerned.
(Begon Townsend & Harper 2006)

Biotic factors: Commensalism
Commensalism is when one organism (the ‘host’) provides

resources or a home for another organism, but in which the host
itself suffers no tangible ill effects.

Biotic factors: Mutualism
In a mutualistic relationship, organisms of
different species interact to their mutual benefit.
It usually involves the direct exchange of goods
or services (food, defense or transport)
Symbiosis (‘living together’) is the term for close physical

associations between species, in which a ‘symbiont’ occupies a
habitat provided by a ‘host’.
Of the 70,000 species of fungus known, 20% are

‘lichenized’. Lichens are nutritionally specialized fungi
that share a mutualistic association with a ‘photobiont’
(alga, which provides carbon compounds to the
mycobiont through photosynthesis)
55
Biotic factors : Symbiotic relationships
A symbiotic mutualistic relationship:

the clownfish feeds on invertebrates that can
harm the sea anemone, and the fecal matter
from the clownfish gives nutrients to the
anemone.
The clownfish is protected from predators

by the anemone's weapons - stinging cells,
(the clownfish is immune to this).
The clownfish emits a high pitched sound that

scares the butterfly fish, and protects the
anemone

Biotic factors

Biotic factors : Examples
Plants under herbivory that induce resistance or

attraction to natural enemies
Volatiles Organic Compounds
Maize plant
under herbivore
attack

Abiotic and Biotic factors : Example




& Climate Change
3. PHYSIOLOGICAL
ECOLOGY, EVOLUTION
AND CLIMATE CHANGE

Physiological Ecology, Evolution and
….. Climate Change
 Earth has experienced 5 major extinctions since 600 millions years.
 The most notorious extinction period occurred

during the Cretaceous period with a loss of
60% of existing species, including the
dinosaurs and ammonites (-65 millions years)
 Human activity made many species of

mammals, birds and amphibians
declining or becoming extinct.
Dodo (Mauritius) Mammoth


 Increases of temperatures on earth are +0.87 degrees

Celsius higher than 1880, sea levels are rising and threatening
islands to disappear.
 We are experiencing the 6th major extinction due to human

activity, and climate change will soon aggravate the amplitude
of this phenomena.
 Species can physiologically adapt to changes on a long time

scale, but sudden changes are too quick and will have profound
and unknown consequences on future biodiversity and on
earth living conditions.

Clips
• Sự tiến hóa của các loài

Https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1mnm8nSXEw0
• Quá trình tiến hóa về hình dáng của sinh vật

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=53TTh0rbYcQ

READINGS
• Begon M, Townsend CR & Harper JL (2006) Ecology, from

individuals to ecosystems, Fourth Edition, Blackwell publishing,
759 pages.
• Willmer P, Stone G & Johnston I (2005) Environmental

physiology of animals, Second Edition, Blackwell publishing, 754
pages.
• Lambers H, et al (2008) Plant physiological Ecology, Second

Edition, Springer, 604 pages.

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Ton Duc Thang University - Đại học Tôn Đức Thắng

Faculty of Applied Sciences - Khoa Khoa học ứng dụng

TIẾN HOÁ VÀ SINH LÝ SINH THÁI

EVOLUTION AND PHYSIOLOGICAL ECOLOGY

603067 Evolution and Physiological Ecology – Chapter 1 1

603067 Evolution and Physiological Ecology – Chapter 1 2

1.1 –Evolutionary Biology

2 – Factors that influence Physiological Ecology

2.1 – Abiotic factors

3 – Conclusion: Physiological Ecology, Evolution

603067 Evolution and Physiological Ecology – Chapter 1 4

603067 Evolution and Physiological Ecology – Chapter 1 5

Estimated number = from 5.5 to 30

Biodiversity remains unknown in

Biodiversity is essential for

603067 Evolution and Physiological Ecology – Chapter 1 7

603067 Evolution and Physiological Ecology – Chapter 1 8

“Biological evolution ... is change in the properties of populations of

603067 Evolution and Physiological Ecology – Chapter 1 9

Wrong definitions of evolution

“The gradual process by which the present diversity of plant and

“the doctrine according to which higher forms of life have gradually

603067 Evolution and Physiological Ecology – Chapter 1 10

Another (!) classical misconception from evolution

603067 Evolution and Physiological Ecology – Chapter 1 11

 Greece, Aristotle (-350) “History of animals”

“God created all living things”

603067 Evolution and Physiological Ecology – Chapter 1 12

 Linnaeus (1735) “Systema Naturae”

Parus major Parus caeruleus

Two birds : same genus (Parus) but

603067 Evolution and Physiological Ecology – Chapter 1 13

603067 Evolution and Physiological Ecology – Chapter 1 14

603067 Evolution and Physiological Ecology – Chapter 1 15

 Ernest Mayr (1904-2005)

 Theodosius Dobzhansky (1900-1975)

 Towards the modern synthesis (1942)

603067 Evolution and Physiological Ecology – Chapter 1 16

603067 Evolution and Physiological Ecology – Chapter 1 17

“The individual is engaged in a struggle for existence”

The struggle to acquire the The struggle with competing

603067 Evolution and Physiological Ecology – Chapter 1 18

φύσις (physis) = nature οἶκος, "house", or "environment"

603067 Evolution and Physiological Ecology – Chapter 1 19

Is the study of relationship Is the study of relationship

603067 Evolution and Physiological Ecology – Chapter 1 20

An ecosystem is any geographic area

An ecosystem can be a natural

603067 Evolution and Physiological Ecology – Chapter 1 21

603067 Evolution and Physiological Ecology – Chapter 1 22

Physiological Ecology … is a biological discipline that studies the

603067 Evolution and Physiological Ecology – Chapter 1 23

Plant ecophysiology is “an experimental science

603067 Evolution and Physiological Ecology – Chapter 1 24

603067 Evolution and Physiological Ecology – Chapter 1 25

1.1 –Evolutionary Biology

2 – Factors that influence Physiological Ecology

2.1 – Abiotic factors

3 – Conclusion: Physiological Ecology, Evolution

603067 Evolution and Physiological Ecology – Chapter 1 27

• Are all living organisms “adapted”?

603067 Evolution and Physiological Ecology – Chapter 1 28

Adaptation to aquatic environment: respiration