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Understanding Evolution Through the Lens of COVID-19

Darwin made two very important discoveries. First, descent with modification which is the pattern of evolution. Descent with modification makes five important predictions; (1) species change through time, (2) lineages split and diverge, (3) novel forms derive from earlier forms, (4) species are connected by descent from common ancestors - they are not independent, and finally (5) both the earth and life are old. The first three predictions are microevolution, speciation, and macroevolution respectively. Darwin had believed that evolution was rather slow, however, we now know that evolution actually occurs rapidly. 

Microorganisms such as bacteria and viruses undergo rapid evolution. We are in the middle of a pandemic caused by the novel coronavirus known as SARS-CoV-2 since late 2019. The coronaviruses are named for their crown-like spikes on their surface. Coronaviruses that infect animals can evolve to new human coronaviruses. SARS-CoV-3 happens to be one that evolved from an animal coronavirus. This proves macroevolution - that novel forms derive from earlier forms. The other two were SARS-CoV, the beta coronavirus that causes severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), and MERS-CoV, also a beta coronavirus that causes Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS). [1]

Multiple variants of the SARS-CoV-2 have emerged. Scientists are closely monitoring the changes to the spikes on the surface of the virus through genetic analyses. Three variants have been identified. The United Kingdom (UK) identified B.1.1.7, a variant with many mutations. In South Africa, another variant emerged independently of B.1.1.7, labeled as B.1.351. Lastly, in Brazil, variant P.1 emerged, its mutations suggest that it may affect its ability to be recognized by antibodies. Public Health officials are researching to understand if these variants are detected by current viral tests, if they respond to medicines currently being used to treat COVID-19, and if it will change the effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccines. This proves microevolution, covid-19 has evolved within the last year. [2]

A study published by Li et. al. details the evolution of SARS-CoV-2 by utilizing the matrix representation with parsimony (MRP) pseudo-sequence supertree analysis. Their research showed that the bat coronavirus RaTG13 is not the last common ancestor of SARS-CoV-2. However, they are connected by descent from a common ancestor, Darwin's fourth prediction. 

MRP pseudo-sequence supertree for SARS-CoV-2. Claudes of MERS-CoV, SARS-CoV, and SARS-CoV-2 are highlighted and labeled. This demonstrates speciation. [3]

SARS-CoV-2 sub-clades common mutation sites similarity coded as the clades in the phylogenetic tree above [3]

By looking closer to the evolution of COVID-19, it goes to show that evolution is not only theory but also a fact by demonstrating the predictions of descent with modification - microevolution, speciation, macroevolution, and that species are connected by a common ancestor. 


Works Cited: 

[1] "Coronavirus." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 15 Feb. 2020, https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/types.html 

[2] "New Variants of the Virus That Causes COVID-19". Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 15 Feb. 2020, https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/transmission/variant.html 

[3] Li, T., Liu, D., Yang, Y. et al. Phylogenetic supertree reveals detailed evolution of SARS-CoV-2. Sci Rep 10, 22366 (2020). https://doi-org.er.lib.k-state.edu/10.1038/s41598-020-79484-8

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Comments

  1. MichiFebruary 8, 2021 at 1:57 PM

    Hi Carmen
    This is awesome! Great job!
    Cheers, Michi

    ReplyDelete
  2. E GrahamFebruary 12, 2021 at 1:22 PM

    It's really interesting to see the pandemic viewed through an evolutionary lens. It makes sense that the variations of Covid would share a common ancestor and this perfectly demonstrates Darwin's idea of descent with modification.

    ReplyDelete
  3. CristinaFebruary 12, 2021 at 8:26 PM

    I've not considered looking at COVID from an evolutionary perspective all that much, but your blog post lays it out superbly and shows very well how everything is tied together, and the descent with modification. Great job, this was a great read.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Christopher AnFebruary 12, 2021 at 9:01 PM

    I read your blog post when you were given a shoutout during zoom class. I heard about the new variant that has come about in the United Kingdom, but I had no idea that there were 2 more where one was from South Africa and the other from Brazil (but then I don't really read/ watch the news). A lot of scientific articles use so many terminologies that would make it hard to read or even grasp, but I was able to follow and understand Covid in simpler terms through an evolution aspect with your blog post.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Loren ReedMarch 9, 2021 at 9:45 AM

    I really appreciate the fact that you made this applicable to what is going on right now worldwide. It's incredible to see Darwin's descent with modification principle in the evolution of COVID-19.

    ReplyDelete

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