Understanding Animal Phylogenetic Trees: A Study Portfolio

Animal Phylogenetic Tree Portfolio Day 1: Objective: you will learn how evolutionary biologists use the characteristics of organisms to explain how they evolved. You will take on the role of an evolutionary biologist to explain the ancestry and evolution of an imaginary alien species. You will then apply your knowledge of evolution and model the lineage of this alien species. NOTE: While no specific work from this day of the portfolio is turned in, this lesson lays the foundations down for you to be able to understand and complete the rest of your assignment. Please do not skip this part! Day 2: In this section you will interpret a phylogenetic diagram of an animal in order to identify common ancestry and biological evolution, while still working through the objective given on the first day. Part 1 of the activity (pg 8) Background: You will be the evolutionary biologist, and complete the following activities to build a cladogram of Xenites. Based on the order of the rock layers in which fossils were found, species A appears to be the oldest and probably the most primitive. 1. Fill in the table noting which species of xenite has each characteristic, marking each yes or no. (Please note you will need to be on page 8 of day 2 of this assignment to complete this!) Characteristic Xenite A Xenite B Xenite C Xenite D Xenite E Spines Eyestalks Tail Mouth

2. Study your table, and figure out the order of evolution of each character. You have been given reason to believe that, based on the fossil record, Xenite A is the ancestral species. For the Xenites, consider what appear to be homologies and analogies. Fill out the table below: Oldest Xenite A Youngest 3. Create your cladogram for the Xenites. Please see examples on page 3, 4, and 7. (Note: You may upload a picture of a drawing if that is easier.)

Day 3 In this section, you will evaluate and update the phylogenetic tree based on new evidence and explain the rationale for the changes. Part 2 of the activity (pg 4) Background: A new Xenite species has been discovered! There is no fossil evidence to suggest the relative evolutionary age of this new species. Directions: Remake your character matrix by filling in the data table below. Oldest Xenite A Youngest 2. Construct a new cladogram that incorporates Xenite F. Please see examples on page 3, 4, and

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7. (Note: You may upload a picture of a drawing if that is easier.) 3. Identify which derived characters were homologies or analogies. 4. Explain the evolutionary history of the organisms shown by your tree or cladogram. 5. Explain how you used new evidence to revise your cladogram. Reflect on the portfolio (pg 7): 1. What features were the most difficult to place in a cladogram? Why?

2. Do you think your answer is the only right answer? Explain. 3. Give an example of a piece of new evidence that would change your cladogram.

sb_u8_animal_phylogenetic_tree_portfolio

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