Phylogeny Review

Front

What is phylogeny?

Back

Phylogeny is the study of the evolutionary history and relationships among individuals or groups of organisms.

Front

What are theropods?

Back

Theropods are a group of bipedal dinosaurs that include modern birds and are characterized by hollow bones and three-toed limbs.

Front

Do theropods have light bones?

Back

No, theropods do not have light bones; they have hollow bones that make them lighter.

Front

What is a cladogram?

Back

A cladogram is a diagram that shows the evolutionary relationships among a group of organisms based on shared characteristics.

Front

Who is most closely related to Taxidea taxus?

Back

Lutra lutra is most closely related to Taxidea taxus.

Front

Which group on the cladogram arose first?

Back

Theropods arose first on the cladogram.

Front

What does it mean for an organism to be distantly related?

Back

An organism is distantly related if it shares a common ancestor with another organism but diverged from that ancestor a long time ago.

Front

Which organism is the most distantly related to all the others: Raccoon, Dog, Giant Panda, or Sun Bear?

Back

Dog is the most distantly related to all the others.

Front

How many animals on a cladogram have lungs?

Back

Typically, most vertebrates, including mammals and birds, have lungs.

Front

What is the significance of shared characteristics in phylogeny?

Back

Shared characteristics help scientists determine evolutionary relationships and construct cladograms.