Week 7 Lab Problem Solving – Phylogeny Analysis I
Learning Objectives
●
Differentiate between the three common representations of phylogenies and correctly interpret the data presented in
them
●
Evaluate the relationships between various groups of organisms based on a phylogeny.
●
Identify sister and monophyletic groups on a phylogenetic tree.
This activity will be completed and submitted as a group. Each member of your group must lead the discussion for at
least one problem.
Before you begin
, determine how you will distribute responsibilities amongst your group members
evenly.
1.With your lab group, discuss how to determine relatedness on a phylogeny and the three common representations
of phylogenies. Then, confirm with a neighboring group, LA, or TA before summarizing your groups discussion
here.
Species that share more morphological traits, genetic sequences, and behavioral and ecological characteristics are
more closely related. Three common representation of phylogenies are cladogram (which shows sister groups based
on shared common ancestors), chronogram (Shows speciation over time), and phylogram (shows genetic divergence
between species).
[Question 2-4] Examine the phylogeny of extant perissodactyls. You can ignore the numbers on branch lengths and nodes.
2. What type of evolutionary tree is represented here?
Explain what information presented by the tree led you to
your answer.
Phylogram, it shows the divergence between the species,
does not show time. The .1 shows a legend of a divergence
of .1 between the species based on the length of the tree.
3. Are tapirs more closely related to rhinos or horses? Give
a justification for your response.
Due to their shared forebears and membership in the same
monophyletic group, tapirs and rhinos are more closely
linked.
4. Do tapirs form a monophyletic group based on this
evolutionary tree? Why or Why not?
Yes, because they take up an entire clade, and don’t
overlap with any other clade in the phylogram or
show convergent evolution.
