NAME: JADA CUMBERBATCH

STUDENT ID #: 816010507

COURSE TITLE: EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY

COURSE CODE: BIOL 2265

TITLE OF PAPER: “Richness of plant–insect associations

in Eocene Patagonia: A legacy for South American
biodiversity”.

DEMONSTRATOR’S NAME: SARAH

DATE: 16.11.2018
 INTRODUCTION
The 2005 article “Richness of plant–insect associations in Eocene Patagonia: A legacy for South
American biodiversity” by Peter Wilf, Conrad C. Labandeira, Kirk R. Johnson and N. Rube´n Cu´
neo, Vol. 102, No. 25, pp 8944-8948 was published on 21st June 2005 by Pennsylvania State
University. It discusses the relationship between plant-insect associations that developed through
modern observations by comparing plant fossils of ancient ecosystems within the Patagonian
Eocene ecosystem of South American (subtropical forests) and North America. This piece propels
the concept via plausible unbiased macrofloral sampling, that there may be a link between plant
and insect-herbivore diversity. The researchers robust optimism highlights that the past
environmental change, evolution, and extinction of plants in the varied ecosystems have increased
the complexity in the ecological pattern. At the end of this study they concluded that their findings
reemphasized the homogeneity among previous modern observations and there outcomes via the
usage of plausible reasons, explanations and experimental methods. Essentially, this suggest that
there is a relationship between plant and insect-herbivore diversity which determines that there is
an increased lushness in plant–insect associations within the Patagonia Eocene ecosystem.
 APPROACH AND METHOD

An unbiased macrofloral sample was pursed by the authors within the Patagonian Eocene
ecosystem of South American (subtropical forests) and North America. The Patagonian Eocene
of South America known for having the richest plant diversity in any region, a sample of 6,521
specimens from 25 quarries which entailed specimens that contained vast insect damage,
were collected. This method of sampling was used to gain varied plant characteristics and insect
species. Therefore, reducing the probability of biased results. The researchers, in accordance with
previous discussions, interpretations of new findings highlighted that a substantial amount of the
leaf specimens contained preservations that identified with the identical insect injury. This
propelled the concept that a larger sample size could have been taken to achieve a heterogenic
spread of insects. They concede existing concepts as well as solidify undocumented discoveries
via elaborate and in depth explanations that is tailed along with a variety of examples.

Examines discrepancies among studies in a comprehensive manner

Publication bias aimed to be corrected limitation as the extent of its effect was unknown

Only one study was found that seemed to test for the same thing they were testing using the same approach, however their focus was
different, which made it insignificant in the study

Influence of publication bias was estimated, may be a source of error

Various experiments were executed for the duration of this research; the initial experiment entailed using data obtained from microsatellite

markers to assess the genome of 38 dogs’ autosomes. This experiment used a statistical software that would have grouped the dogs together

which possessed the same distribution and frequency of alleles. The experiment was proven to be quite viable since, these tandem repeats are

widely distributed throughout the genome and hold evolutionarily importance due to their genomic instability. These possess a success rate

ranging between; 31% to 87% respectively (Vieira, et al. 2016). Since these genetic markers can be found throughout the genome, they were

the perfect variable to use, thus making this portion of the experiment a success.

Ostrander highlighted a crucial project which generated major breakthroughs for genetic institutions, this project is the sequencing of the dog

genome. Ideally, whole genome sequencing is the process whereby the complete DNA sequence of an organism’s genome is analysed at a

single time. This process enabled a group of researchers to sequence both a poodle’s chromosomal and mitochondrial DNA, via the SNP (Single-

Nucleotide Polymorphisms) genotyping method. However, this method could’ve been replaced by GBS (Genotyping by Sequence), since this

method identifies variants such as deletions, minute insertions as well as microsatellites and not just SNPs. Additionally, SNP genotyping

platforms are costly, whereas GBS offers a cost-efficient alternative (Sonah, et al. 2013).
Other experiments executed within this publication was the use of the candidate gene approach to detect the genes which are associated with

the characteristic of a faster breed of dog. The author expressed early on in the publication that this is a common method used by scientists.

However, it is arguable that the candidate gene approach is largely limited, since it relies heavily on the prior knowledge from theory, rather

than from observation about biochemical, physiological as well as functional aspects of the target gene. For this reason, it can be seen as a

terminal information bottleneck and can hinder further research or applications of traditional candidate gene approach (Zhu and Zhao 2007).

This methodology and research design can be replicated once the proper equipment and statistical tools are made available. The presentation

of the methodology was impeccable, such that it’s beyond easy to follow and understand the theory which relate to the experiments.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
SUMMARY