Question

Explain how current distributions (biogeography) of insects may be interpreted as evidence for their evolutionary antiquity. From an evolutionary perspective, explain how evidence regarding the antiquity of insect is also in conflict with the observations of the physiological, ecological and morphological constancy of species? How is these competing lines of evidence resolved?

Answer 1

Evidence from current distributions (biogeography) implies antiquity of many insect lineages. Their distinct distribution, specific ecological requirements, and their restricted vagility in a number of genera suggest that their species were derived from ancestors that existed prior to continental movements of jurassic and cretaceous periods. The woodroaches have a distic=nct distribution in Eurasia, western USA, and southeastern USA where there is cryptic diversity. Phylogenetic analysis of bacterial RNA show that they follow branching pattern.