Concept explainers
(a)
To explain: The reason for fusion of hind limb bones during embryonic development of birds is a derived trait, not an ancestral trait, relative to the unfused condition in crocodiles.
Introduction: Inheritance is the basis of evolution. The study of the evolution of descendants from common ancestors is called phylogeny. A phylogenetic tree is a diagrammatical analysis of the evolution of an organism.
(b)
To explain: The reasons for unstable phylogenetic evidence of the development of pentadactyly are homologous in humans and crocodiles.
Introduction: The study of the evolution of descendants from common ancestors is called phylogeny. Depending upon common antecedents, there are three taxa, namely monophyletic (contains all descents from a common ancestor), paraphyletic (comprises only some descendants of a common ancestor), and polyphyletic (contains species with different ancestors).
(c)
To explain: The reasons for unstable phylogenetic evidence of the development of sting of wasp from ovipositor.
Introduction: Inheritance is the basis of evolution. The study of the evolution of descendants from common ancestors is called phylogeny. Depending upon common antecedents, there are three taxa, namely monophyletic (contains all descents from a common ancestor), paraphyletic (comprises only some descendants of a common ancestor), and polyphyletic (contains species with different ancestors).
(d)
To explain: The reasons for unstable phylogenetic evidence of wings and wingless insects.
Introduction: Inheritance is the basis of evolution. The study of the evolution of descendants from common ancestors is called phylogeny. A phylogenetic tree is a diagrammatical analysis of the evolution of an organism.
(e)
To explain: The reasons for unstable phylogenetic evidence of some traits in frogs that are very similar to those of their deep ancestors but others that are relatively advanced.
Introduction: Inheritance is the basis of evolution. The study of the evolution of descendants from common ancestors is known as phylogeny. A phylogenetic tree is a diagrammatical analysis of the evolution of an organism.
Want to see the full answer?
Check out a sample textbook solutionChapter 2 Solutions
Evolution
- The phylogenetic tree for 12 cat species (Felidae) reproduced at right was assembled from molecular sequence data. Which species is the domestic cats closest relative? Which clade is the sister taxon to tigers? Are bobcats more closely related to cougars or to ocelots? Source: From Warren E. Johnson et al. 2006. The late Miocene radiation of modern Felidae: A genetic assessment. Science 311:7377.arrow_forwardINTERPRET DATA Which of the primates in Figure 18-18 is the most distantly related to humans? Explain your answer. Figure 18-18 Differences in DNA nucleotide sequences as evidence of evolutionary relationships Comparing the same gene in different organisms provides a window into evolution. Here the differences in the non-protein-coding region of the -globin gene are compared between humans and other primates. Evolutionary biologists are rapidly expanding such studies from comparing one or several genes to comparing entire genomes.arrow_forwardGenomics and Human Evolution The Denisovan genome contains sequences that originated from an unknown human species. Using Figure 19.11, speculate on which species this might be. Is it possible that there are other ancestral species that may remain to be discovered that would change the phylogeny presented in the figure? FIGURE 19.11 Estimates for the dates of origin and extinction for the three main groups of hominins (green, blue, and orange). The australopithecines split into two groups about 2.7 million years ago. One of those groups, the genus Homo, contains the ancestors to our species, H. sapiens.arrow_forward
- Referring to the phylogenetic tree shown above, answer the following questions: 1. How many OTUs are included in the phylogenetic analysis? 2. How many clades are there? 3. What is an autapomorphic trait of the domestic cat? Explain why? 4. What is the shared derived trait (synapomorphy) in the Family Felidae? Explain why?arrow_forwardWhy is molecular data for phylogenetic inference best analyzed with use of an explicit model of molecular evolution? A) This is true of morphological data, not molecular data, it is impossible to model changes in molecular sequence data because it is constantly evolving. B) Because molecular data is known to only experience random changes and is constantly evolving, a chaotic model of evolution can universally be applied to molecular sequence data for phylogenetic analysis. C) Because molecular data is known to experience non-random changes in terms of the likelihood of different types of mutations -- transitions vs. transversions, at different codon positions, which can be used to infer sequence evolution and relationship. D) None of the above.arrow_forwardWe have studied how the six major primate groups evolved, with the most recent group being the hominins.The hominins branched off from main ape group around 7 million years ago.According to our lessons explain your reasoning as to whether there is a missing link,or one single specimen that embodies both ape and hominin traits, that serves as a transition between what is clearly ape and what is clearly hominin?What have you found most interesting about the beginning of hominin evolution and why?arrow_forward
- How would cladists and evolutionary taxonomists differ in their interpretations of the statement that humans evolved from apes, which evolved from monkeys?arrow_forwardWorking as an Anthropologist in South Africa, you’ve been given four hominin craniums and are asked to develop a new classification system. Using cranium size, the robustness of the cheek bones and brow ridges, and the prognathism of the face, how would you categorize these four skulls into species? Would you categorize all four of them as belonging to the same genus? Two geneses? Three geneses? Four geneses? Do you believe any of them are the same species? Explain how you would categorize these four specimens. Explain what features you used to categorize these specimens.arrow_forwardWorking as an Anthropologist in South Africa, you’ve been given four hominin craniums and are asked to develop a new classification system. Using cranium size, the robustness of the cheek bones and brow ridges, and the prognathism of the face, how would you categorize these four skulls into species? Would you categorize all four of them as belonging to the same genus? Two geneses? Three geneses? Four geneses? Do you believe any of them are the same species? Explain how you would categorize these four specimens. Explain what features you used to categorize these specimens. This is the image of the 4 different hominin individualsarrow_forward
- Working as an Anthropologist in South Africa, you’ve been given four hominin craniums and are asked to develop a new classification system. Using cranium size, the robustness of the cheek bones and brow ridges, and the prognathism of the face, how would you categorize these four skulls into species? Would you categorize all four of them as belonging to the same genus? Two geneses? Three geneses? Four geneses? Do you believe any of them are the same species? Explain how you would categorize these four specimens. Explain what features you used to categorize these specimens. (Use complete sentences. Minimum of 4 sentences.)arrow_forwardIf mutations such as those of the Ubx gene candrastically change morphology in a single step,why do most evolutionary biologists maintainthat modification of existing traits and the evolution of novel characters have generally proceeded by successive small steps?arrow_forwardWhat can skeletal anatomy and DNA sequences in existing primates tell us about the study of human evolution?arrow_forward
- Biology: The Dynamic Science (MindTap Course List)BiologyISBN:9781305389892Author:Peter J. Russell, Paul E. Hertz, Beverly McMillanPublisher:Cengage LearningBiology (MindTap Course List)BiologyISBN:9781337392938Author:Eldra Solomon, Charles Martin, Diana W. Martin, Linda R. BergPublisher:Cengage LearningHuman Heredity: Principles and Issues (MindTap Co...BiologyISBN:9781305251052Author:Michael CummingsPublisher:Cengage Learning