Evolutionary Studies on Anoles

The video explores how small islands serve as natural laboratories for studying evolution. In the 1970s, ecologist Tom Schoener introduced anoles to small islands to observe population dynamics. Jonathan, inspired by these experiments, hypothesized that anoles would evolve shorter legs on islands with narrow vegetation. Returning in the 1990s, he found that the anoles had indeed evolved as predicted, demonstrating rapid evolution within 14 years. This challenges the conventional belief that evolution is too slow to observe within a human lifetime.

What makes small islands ideal for studying population dynamics?

• They have a large number of predators.

• They are isolated and have limited resources.

• They are easy to access and have diverse climates.

• They have a high human population density.

What was the primary goal of Tom Schoener's experiment with anoles?

• To introduce new predators to the islands.

• To study how anole populations grow, shrink, and go extinct.

• To observe the impact of climate change on anoles.

• To increase the biodiversity of the islands.

What did Jonathan realize about the islands with different characteristics?

• They could be used to study the impact of pollution.

• They provided a natural setting for an evolution experiment.

• They were unsuitable for any scientific study.

• They were all identical in terms of vegetation.

What was the initial reaction of most biologists to the idea of observing evolution in a human lifetime?

• They were enthusiastic and supportive.

• They were already conducting similar experiments.

• They were indifferent and uninterested.

• They were skeptical and doubtful.

What was Jonathan's plan when he returned to the islands in the 1990s?

• To compare the anatomy of new island populations with the original source population.

• To introduce new species of anoles.

• To study the impact of tourism on the islands.

• To measure the temperature changes on the islands.

What role did creativity play in Jonathan's approach to biology?

• It allowed him to ask the right questions and challenge conventional wisdom.

• It enabled him to create artificial islands for experiments.

• It helped him design new species of anoles.

• It led him to focus solely on the anatomy of anoles.

What significant change was observed in the anoles on islands with slender branches?

• They developed longer tails.

• They evolved shorter legs.

• They changed their diet.

• They became nocturnal.

Why was the evolution of anoles in just 14 years considered remarkable?

• Because anoles typically live for only one year.

• Because evolution is usually too slow to observe in a human lifetime.

• Because the islands were too small for significant changes.

• Because the climate was not conducive to evolution.

What did the results of the experiment challenge?

• The conventional wisdom that evolution is too slow to observe.

• The notion that islands are unsuitable for scientific studies.

• The belief that animals cannot adapt to new environments.

• The idea that evolution can only be observed in fossils.

What did the experiment ultimately demonstrate about evolution?

• That it only happens in large populations.

• That it can occur rapidly under certain conditions.

• That it is a random and unpredictable process.

• That it is solely driven by climate change.