Multiple Choice
You are constructing a phylogenetic tree of all species in the family Bovidae, which includes all cattle, sheep, goats, antelope, bison, and buffalo. What do you think would be a good outgroup?
25. Phylogeny
Building Phylogenetic Trees
Multiple Choice
Which of these phylogenetic trees show the same evolutionary relationships?
A
Tree A and Tree C
B
Tree A and Tree B
C
All three trees show different relationships
D
Tree B and Tree C
Verified step by step guidance1
Understand that a phylogenetic tree is a diagram that represents evolutionary relationships among organisms. Each branch point represents a common ancestor, and the length of the branches can indicate evolutionary time or genetic change.
Examine the structure of each tree. Look for the arrangement of branches and the placement of species or groups. The key is to identify which trees have the same branching pattern, indicating the same evolutionary relationships.
Compare the branching patterns of Tree A, Tree B, and Tree C. Focus on the order of branching and the groups that are connected. Trees that show the same order of branching and connections represent the same evolutionary relationships.
Consider the concept of 'rotating branches' in phylogenetic trees. Trees can look different but still represent the same relationships if branches are rotated around their nodes. This means the order of branching is the same, even if the visual representation differs.
Determine which trees have identical branching patterns. This involves checking if the same groups are connected in the same order across the trees. Trees with identical branching patterns show the same evolutionary relationships.
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