Michael Grieco
AP Biology
Current Event 15
29 January 2019
Saey, Tina Hesman. “DNA from Extinct Red Wolves Lives on in Some Mysterious Texas
Coyotes.” Science News, 4 Feb. 2019,
Tina Hesman Saey’s article is about the recent discovery of DNA in red-coated canids, a
species of wolves. This species that lives on Galveston Island in Texas has DNA of the red
wolves, a species declared extinct in 1980 only in the wild. Ron Wooten, a wildlife biologist
studying this sent DNA samples to Bridgett vonHoldt at Princeton. The red wolves had still
been surviving in a captive breeding program, and DNA unique to this species was found in the
DNA of the red-coated candids. After discovering this, vonHoldt has taken a second look into
preserving biodiversity, and she says that to preserve biodiversity, we have to protect genetic
diversity, not just species. Both vonHoldt and Wooten agree that this is a large breakthrough in
the genetic world and that this should encourage many to gear their conservation efforts toward
“preserving genetic diversity within common species,” allowing species with a large influence in
ecosystems to be able to adapt to new environments.
species of wolves. This species that lives on Galveston Island in Texas has DNA of the red
wolves, a species declared extinct in 1980 only in the wild. Ron Wooten, a wildlife biologist
studying this sent DNA samples to Bridgett vonHoldt at Princeton. The red wolves had still
been surviving in a captive breeding program, and DNA unique to this species was found in the
DNA of the red-coated candids. After discovering this, vonHoldt has taken a second look into
preserving biodiversity, and she says that to preserve biodiversity, we have to protect genetic
diversity, not just species. Both vonHoldt and Wooten agree that this is a large breakthrough in
the genetic world and that this should encourage many to gear their conservation efforts toward
“preserving genetic diversity within common species,” allowing species with a large influence in
ecosystems to be able to adapt to new environments.
This article made me look at conservation biology through a new lens. I thought that the best
way to preserve biodiversity was by protecting rare and endangered species. But after reading this
article, I realized that one aspect just as important was to preserve genetic diversity within species.
Wolves have a large presence around the globe, and by preserving biodiversity within the many
species of wolves, they can adapt to a changing environment more easily.
way to preserve biodiversity was by protecting rare and endangered species. But after reading this
article, I realized that one aspect just as important was to preserve genetic diversity within species.
Wolves have a large presence around the globe, and by preserving biodiversity within the many
species of wolves, they can adapt to a changing environment more easily.
This article gives a very brief overview of this study that allowed me to gain a basic
understanding of what it was about. However, this article lacked the depth that could have given
the reader the full comprehension of what the study was and the techniques used in it. If the author
had included this information, I believe I would be more interested and been able to understand it
better.
understanding of what it was about. However, this article lacked the depth that could have given
the reader the full comprehension of what the study was and the techniques used in it. If the author
had included this information, I believe I would be more interested and been able to understand it
better.
Szilvia Szabó
ReplyDeleteMr. Ippolito
AP Biology
February 13th, 2019
Saey, Tina Hesman. “DNA from Extinct Red Wolves Lives on in Some Mysterious Texas
Coyotes.” Science News, 4 Feb. 2019,
Overall, I think that Michael did a really good job at summarizing all of the relevant information for his audience. I haven’t been keeping myself too up to date on biodiversity, so the title of this current event drew me in. Prior to reading this current event, I had never considered the significance of genetic diversity within a species. I think that Michael did a really good job of explaining this and why it is important, as he says, “Both vonHoldt and Wooten agree . . . that this should encourage many to gear their conservation efforts toward “preserving genetic diversity within common species,” allowing species with a large influence in ecosystems to be able to adapt to new environments.”’ Basically saying how more genetic diversity within a species leads to them being more capable of adapting. I also liked how Michael acknowledged the more typical thoughts people have when it comes to biodiversity. He shares his own personal thoughts, as he says, “I thought that the best way to preserve biodiversity was by protecting rare and endangered species. But after reading this article, I realized that one aspect just as important was to preserve genetic diversity within species.” By sharing his own initial thoughts on this subject, Michael is relating to his audience, therefore helping them to connect or provoke their own thoughts on biodiversity. Lastly, I liked how Michael acknowledged that the author failed to provide a more in depth, detailed analysis of this study which could have made the study easier to understand. I did notice that he didn’t include too many specific facts or details about how the study was conducted, so it was good of him to acknowledge this fault of the author.
Despite all of the good qualities Michael’s writing had, there were a few very minor things I felt he could work on. At one point he writes, “But after reading this
article, I realized that one aspect just as important was to preserve genetic diversity within species.” I feel like this sentence was worded kind of awkwardly. Maybe if he rephrased it to be something like, “But after reading this article, I realized it is just as important to preserve genetic diversity within species.” I feel like this would flow better and be a bit more clear. Also, I wish he included more information about the original red wolves. For example, where did they live before they were put into captive breeding programs? This piece of information would help to contextualize, as it would either make it more or less shocking that wolves with the same DNA were found in Texas.
Before I read this article, I did not know that preserving biodiversity within an individual species was important. In fact, I did not know much about biodiversity aside from anything we had learned in class, so this article enriched me with new information and kept me up to date on the kinds of biodiversity on our planet. I had picked out this current event because it was on a topic I was not too educated about and I am glad I did because I ended up learning about an entirely different perspective on biodiversity.
Charlotte Cagliostro
ReplyDeleteIppolito
AP Bio D Even / Current Event #16
2/13/19
Saey, Tina Hesman. “DNA from Extinct Red Wolves Lives on in Some Mysterious Texas
Coyotes.” Science News, 4 Feb. 2019,
Michael Grieco wrote a great review of Tina Hesman Saey’s Science News article: “DNA from Extinct Red Wolves Lives on in Some Mysterious Texas Coyotes.” In particular, there were three parts of his review that I really liked. First, I enjoyed Michael’s writing style. He was able to explain the article in both a sophisticated and informative manner that made me want to keep reading. Second, I liked Michael’s summary of Saey’s article in his first paragraph. He was able to mention the key ideas in her article and articulate them in a concise manner, which made that paragraph quite informative. Third, I enjoyed Michael’s second paragraph in which he connected the article’s topic to the real world. I found that paragraph, in specific, to be quite thought-provoking and interesting.
Although I really liked Michael’s review, I think he could improve it in two ways. First, I think he should include more evidence and quotations throughout his piece. Especially, in his summary of Saey’s article, I felt like there was a lack of data, statistics, and quotes. Additionally, I believe Michael should have elaborated on his ideas more. Overall, I found the review to be too short. There were definitely many opportunities for him to explain and build upon various topics.
One interesting thing I learned from reading Michael’s review is that a species of red wolves, which was believed to be extinct, was discovered in Galveston Island in Texas. I found the discovery to be quite interesting, especially the investigative portion.
Alisa Kanganis
ReplyDeleteAP Biology
February 12, 2019
Current Event 16
Saey, Tina Hesman. “DNA from Extinct Red Wolves Lives on in Some Mysterious Texas
Coyotes.” Science News, 4 Feb. 2019,
I enjoyed reading Micheals review of “DNA from Extinct Red Wolves Lives on in Some Mysterious Texas Coyotes”. Firstly, his review was concise, yet also informative. I also appreciate how he really emphasizes the importance of genetic diversity. People often think that our goal is to preserve whole species when in reality it is genetic diversity that has the most significant impact. Lastly, I agree with Michael's statement that the article lacks enough depth to keep the reader truly interested.
There are two areas where I think Michael could really improve his review. For one, I think it would really enhance his summary if he added some quotes and/or statistics from the article. Additionally, he could have included some information about Red Wolves to help the reader conceptualize.
This summary was very interesting to me. My knowledge of biodiversity had previously not gone beyond the classroom, so I enjoyed reading about a real life situation regarding the topic. I hope to read more about it in the future.
This week I read Michael’s review of the article “DNA from Extinct Red Wolves Lives on in Some Mysterious Texas Coyotes.” The article was about how scientists discovered the DNA from an extinct species in a living species of wolf. Saey also discusses the importance of biodiversity, not only in between species, but within a species. One thing that Michael did well in his review is in his accurate summary of the article. Michael covered the two main points of the article in his review. Another thing that he did well was including quotes in his review. I liked the fact that Michael directly quoted the scientists on the topics. A third thing that Michael did well in his review was his critique which was very clear and concise.
ReplyDeleteHowever, despite the good qualities, there were some issues I found with Michael’s review. While he gave his opinion on what the author could have done better, I found that it was very brief and he could have added more detail to her second paragraph. Another problem was that there were numerous typos in Michael’s review that made it a bit difficult to read. In some places there were words missing or awkward sentences that if edited would make the reivew much better.
I chose this article because the topic of ecology interests me. I learned a lot about biodiversity by reading this and its importance. Having a wide range of genetic material in a species is crucial for its long-term survival. We often think of biodiversity as conserving different species, but another important part is the DNA within a species. A species must have a wide variety of genotypes within its gene pool in order to have strong survivability.
Luke Freeman
ReplyDeleteMr. Ippolito
AP Biology Current Events 16 - Comment
February 13th, 2019
Saey, Tina Hesman. “DNA from Extinct Red Wolves Lives on in Some Mysterious Texas
Coyotes.” Science News, 4 Feb. 2019,
This article, reviewed by Michael Grieco, covers an incredibly interesting topic. For starters, Michael did a great job at establishing the purpose of the article and giving the reader context. His summary is near-perfect in capturing the whole article, while keeping it brief. Secondly, in his explanatory section, he does a great job of bringing the reader back to the main premise of the article, “The red wolves had still been surviving in a captive breeding program, and DNA unique to this species was found in the DNA of the red-coated candids.” Thirdly, Chris not only gives evidence, but provides his own analysis with pieces of the article, which makes this review very well done.
There were only two, minorly negative aspects of Michael’s review, the first being the lack of including many specific scientific facts. This would have boosted Michael’s credibility, with the reader. The second thing which could be improved upon in Michaels review would be the slight repetitiveness at times. That being said, the repetitiveness only popped up at times, so the review overall remains spot on.
While this article did not have as much of a profound impact on me as some of the others I have read, it was still somewhat interesting. Thinking about how animals evolve and change over time has always been fascinating for me, making this article well suited for me. The biggest take-away from the article is that a we should gear our efforts towards preserving genetic diversity within species. Questions and opinions raised by both Michael and the article, such as, allow for self reflection and a chance to think of the path which our civilization is going down.
Paul Magaud
ReplyDeleteMr. Ippolito
AP Biology
Current Event #18
Saey, Tina Hesman. “DNA from Extinct Red Wolves Lives on in Some Mysterious Texas
Coyotes.” Science News, 4 Feb. 2019
Tina Hesman Saey's article "“DNA from Extinct Red Wolves Lives on in Some Mysterious Texas Coyotes" discusses how segments of DNA from an extinct species of wolves has been discovered in some living coyotes. Michael's review was written in a very concise manner, which I think helps the reader understand only what is necessary, making for a quicker read. I like the fact that Michael stressed the importance of genetic diversity. Lastly, Michael did a good job of holding the author accountable for not including deep enough analysis in her article.
There are still some areas of improvement for Michael. Although remaining concise can be better at times, he definitely could have used more specific detail, both from the article as well as outside research. The writing mechanics of Michael's review also could be improved. Had he proofread his review, he could have avoided some typos and awkward sentences.
I was drawn in by the title of the article. The idea that the DNA of an extinct species could remain in living ones was fascinating to me. This raises a lot of interesting insights regarding evolution, which is one of the most fundamental principles in all of biology.