Draw a phylogenetic tree of the following taxa: Nematode, Sponge, Frog, Snail, Sea anemone, Fruitfly, Sea Urchin, Chicken.
The correct answer and explanation is:
Okay, here is a phylogenetic tree representing the evolutionary relationships of the given taxa, followed by a 300-word explanation.
Phylogenetic Tree
_______ Sponge (Porifera)
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Root _______|_______ Sea Anemone (Cnidaria - Radiata)
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|_______ (Bilateria)
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|_______ (ProtostomiaOkay, here is a phylogenetic tree diagram and an explanation for the provided taxa.
+------- Sponge (Porifera)
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----------|------ Sea Anemone (Cnidaria)
(Animalia)|
| +-- Protostomia
| |
| | +---- Snail (Lophotrochozoa/Mollusca)
| | |
| +--|-- Nematode (Ecdysozoa)
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| +---- Fruitfly (Ecdysozoa/Arthropoda)
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+-- Deuterostomia
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+---- Sea Urchin (Echinodermata)
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+---- Frog (Chordata/Vertebrata)
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+---- Chicken (Chordata/Vertebrata)
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*Note: This tree is a simplified representation focusing on the relationships between these specific taxa based on current understanding)
| |
| |_______ Snail (Mollusca - Lophotrochozoa)
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| |_______ (Ecdysozoa)
| |_______ Nematode (Nematoda)
| |
| |_______ Fruitfly (Arthropoda)
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|_______ (Deuterostomia)
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|_______ Sea Urchin (Echinodermata)
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|_______ (Chordata)
|_______ Frog (Amphibia)
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|_______ Chicken (Aves)
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Note: This is a simplified representation. Branch lengths do not necessarily represent time or amount of evolutionary change.
Explanation (Approx. 300 words)
This phylogenetic tree illustrates the hypothesized evolutionary relationships among the eight animal taxa based on shared ancestry and of animal phylogeny. Branch lengths do not represent time.*
Explanation:
A phylogenetic tree illustrates the evolutionary relationships and common ancestry among different species or groups. This tree places the given animals based on shared derived characteristics, reflecting major evolutionary branching key derived characteristics.
The tree originates from a common ancestor at the root. The Sponge (Porifera) represents the earliest diverging lineage, lacking true tissues and organs, positioning it as the most basal animal group listed.
The remaining taxa belong to the Eumetazoa, possessing true tissues. The Sea Anemone (Cnidaria) branches off next, representing the Radiata (radially symmetrical animals), separate from the vast majority of animals which are Bil points.
The tree starts with the Sponge as the most basal animal group (Porifera), diverging first as it lacks true tissues and radial/bilateral symmetry, features found in other animals (Eumetazoa). The Sea Anemone (Cnidateria (bilaterally symmetrical).
The Bilateria split into two major clades: Protostomia and Deuterostomia. The Sea Urchin (Echinodermata), Frog (Amphibia), and Chicken (aria) branches off next, representing a group with true tissues and radial symmetry, separating them from the Bilaterians.
The remaining animals belong to the Bilateria, characterized by bilateral symmetry at some life stage. This group is then dividedAves) belong to the Deuterostomia. Echinoderms diverged earlier within this group, while Chordates (including vertebrates like the Frog and Chicken) share a more recent common deuterostome ancestor. The Frog and Chicken, both vertebrates, into two major branches: Protostomia and Deuterostomia.
Within the Protostomes, we see a split into Lophotrochozoa (like the Snail, a Mollusc) and Ecdysozoa. E represent a divergence within the Chordate lineage.
The Snail (Mollusca), Nematode (Nematoda), and Fruitfly (Arthropoda) are all Protostomes. Withincdysozoans, including the Nematode and the Fruitfly (an Arthropod), are characterized by molting an external cuticle. The Nematode and Fruitfly share a more recent common ancestor within this Ecdysozo Protostomia, the tree shows a split into Lophotrochozoa and Ecdysozoa. The Snail is a Lophotrochozoan. The Nematode and Fruitfly are Ecdysozoans, sharing the trait ofan clade than either does with the Snail.
The other main bilaterian branch is the Deuterostomia. The Sea Urchin (Echinodermata) is placed here, as they are a sister group to Chordates. The molting (ecdysis). They branch from a common ecdysozoan ancestor.
Thus, the tree reflects a hierarchical pattern of diversification, starting from basic tissue organization and symmetry, through major developmental patterns (protostome/deuterostome), and further into specific phylum-level characteristics. Frog and the Chicken are both Chordates (specifically Vertebrates), sharing a more recent common ancestor within this group than either does with the Sea Urchin. This tree reflects the evolutionary history from simple multicellularity to complex body plans and the diversification into major lineages like protostomes and deuterostomes.