Using Marine Snails to Teach Biogeography and Macroevolution: The Role of Larvae and Dispersal Ability in the Evolution and Persistence of Species

摘要: While some marine animals are capable of traveling great distances, many have limited mobility as adults and spend the majority their lifetimes in a small geographical area or may even be cemented to single place. it might expected that species with would geographic distributions, nevertheless occur over very large areas. This is case for snails (gastropods). A key factor impacts distribution type larvae they during phase life history follows hatching from an egg. Because adult do not typically travel vast larval stage determines species’ ability reach new territories. Some long-distance travel, while others not. An important component process speciation involves isolation, so snail possesses likelihood will become geographically isolated give rise species. Larval form also affects how long persist on geological timescales before going extinct, well rates speciation. paper briefly reviews evolutionary consequences different types development gastropods (especially cone snails, which one most diverse groups animals), particularly determining dispersal ranges individual species, amount genetic exchange among populations within duration through time. The goal this short review provide context examples classroom discussions connections between biogeography macroevolution. Furthermore, activity presented students’ using information about develop research plans (and predicted results) could utilized test (i.e., support reject) several macroevolutionary hypotheses.