Article Analysis Essay on "Frontiers in Palaeontology: Early Vertebrae Evolution"

Introduction

The article “Frontiers in Palaeontology: Early Vertebrae Evolution” by Donoghue and Keating (2014) was penned to provide perspective to a long-time debate that has existed about the origin and evolution of vertebrates. The authors posited that a better understanding of the origins of vertebrates could be established by first getting the vertebrates phylogenetic context. One can correctly deduce that the primary purpose of this article is to try and bring forth an understanding of the origins of vertebrates. For starters, a backbone is the main characteristic defining all vertebrates. As a scientific article, the purpose must be accompanied by a specific method to establish facts.

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Donoghue and Keating (2014) approached the evolutionary history of vertebrates with an investigation of the extinct species. In the study, the authors focused on different species in the vertebrates’ category. Some of the species considered in the study include; Yunnanozoon and Haikouella, Conodonts, and Ostracoderms. These are majorly soft-bodied vertebrates whose evolutionary significance remains moot and not clearly defined. However, they at one time in their lifecycle possessed all characteristics to point out that they are vertebrates in their own right. Donoghue and Keating (2014) cast aspersions on the use of the molecular clock to estimate the origin of vertebrates. The over 180 million years difference between estimates makes it difficult to trust the forecast. Therefore, the authors are of the view that the evolutionary estimations may not be highly reliable.

The main finding from a compilation of available literature is that understanding of vertebrates’ evolution is based on two things. The two things are; the anatomical interpretation of fossil record; and knowledge of the phylogenetic relationships among the fossil species and their living relatives. For every one of the three classes of species investigated, Donoghue and Keating (2014) found a reason to believe that the said species were part of the vertebrate evolution. In illustration of this argument, one can pick on the conodonts. Past studies had conclusively posited that conodonts were not vertebrates, only to be conclusively dismissed by latter studies that proved they were indeed vertebrates and not invertebrates as earlier prescribed.

Much is left to be desired on the understanding of this evolution. There seems to be no common position among biologists and palaeontologists regarding vertebrae evolution. Going forward, a harmonized position on this evolution story should be established. Scientists should work together to come up with a commonplace in the development of vertebrae. There is advanced technology today that could be used by the scientists to conduct a harmonized research and establish the evolutions timelines of the vertebrae species (York, Lee, & McCauley, 2019). The study should not be focused on defining whether the species of concern were vertebrates or not, but the time when they existed and the timelines of their evolution into their current relatives in the specific categories.

The research described in the article is highly theoretical, with little or no regard to practical aspects. The authors highly depended on past studies by other experts to compile a report on what they believe should be the correct position and perspective on the evolution of vertebrates. Going forward, they may consider a practical approach where they correct the said species and conduct their testing to try and establish a position from a practical viewpoint. There is a consensus view that the fundamental insights about the evolution of the vertebrates reside in rock, and it awaits discovery (Donoghue & Keating, 2014). This should be the next frontier in research regarding the first vertebrae evolution. It is a better time with technology, and people can be certain that when this area is explored; they will have more answers than they will have questions.

References

Donoghue, P., & Keating, J. (2014). Early vertebrate evolution. Palaeontology, 57(5), 879-893. doi: 10.1111/pala.12125

York, J. R., Lee, E. M. J., & McCauley, D. W. (2019). The lamprey as a model vertebrate in evolutionary developmental biology. In Lampreys: Biology, Conservation and Control (pp. 481-526). Springer, Dordrecht.