Chapter 21.2, Problem 2CC

Summary Introduction

Introduction:

A phylogenetic tree is a diagram that presents the evolutionary relationship among different species based on biological diversity data. In a phylogenetic tree, species are found at the tip of the tree. Each branch point is called nodes and they represent divergent events. Most recent common ancestors lie at each branch point.

Systematics organizes every species into clades which are groups that includes ancestral species and all the descendants. Every taxon in the taxonomical hierarchy are considered as a monophyletic group. Monophyletic group is a taxon which is a clade. The order of taxonimical hierarchy is domain > supergroup > kingdom > phylum > class > order > family > genus > species.