Coevolution
Coevolution
Different species can impact each other over generations.
Learning Outcome: Define coevolution and give examples of species that are impacting each other over time, including origins of eukaryotes.
Species travel through time and space together, impacting each other’s fitness. This Anna’s hummingbird and the flowering sage plant have been together for generations. Just as you saw from the predator-prey simulation, interactions are not one-sided, all participants are potentially impacted.
Here, our original gecko has just caught a fly and is retreating with it back into a Dracaena plant, also from Madagascar. The gecko’s fecal material fertilizes the plant, and the plant’s leaves hold water the gecko drinks. Three species are impacting each other: the gecko, fly, and Dracaena. Over time, these species may evolve in part based on these interactions.
This video defines coevolution and provides examples.
Watch this video; you can select the closed captioning “cc” option if you would like to see the text.
The next section explores symbiotic relationships between species.
Check your knowledge – Coevolution
Review your notes. Can you provide examples of species that are coevolving? If so, move forward to the next page.
Learning Objective:
Define coevolution and give examples of species that are impacting each other over time, including origins of eukaryotes.
Go back to Science Knowledge Page
Go forward to the Symbiosis Page
Knowledge Contents
Complete all five of these sections before taking the quiz and submitting your media piece.
This Module
7: How long has it been here?
This Guide
7C: Knowledge
Products Information
7C: Quiz & Media
