Performance Task 4: Cladistic Analysis

One way to discover how groups of organisms are related to each other (phylogeny) is to
compare the anatomical structures (body organs and parts) of many different organisms.
Corresponding organs and other body parts that are alike in basic structure and origin are said to
be homologous structures (for example, the front legs of a horse, the wings of a bird, flippers of a
whale, and arms of a person are all homologous to each other). When different organisms share a
large number of homologous structures, it is considered strong evidence that they are related to
one another. When organisms are related to each other, it means they must have had a common
ancestor at some point in the past. If there are specific modifications of those features shared by
different groups of organisms, we say that those features are shared derived characters.

When we do studies in comparative anatomy and find different numbers of shared derived
characters exist between different groups, we can draw a diagram of branching lines which connect
these groups, showing their different degrees of relationships. These diagrams are called
cladograms. The more derived characteristics two organisms share, the closer their evolutionary
relationship and the more recently their common ancestor lived.

Step 1: Using your textbook, your notes, and the explanations below, determine which of the
characteristics each animal has. In the data table provided, place an X in the box if the animal has
the characteristic.

Characteristics:
Set #1:
o Cells
Set #2:
o Possess true nucleus
Set #3
o Symmetry
Set#4:
o Bilateral Symmetry
Set #5:
o Mesoderm
Set #6:
o Head develops first
Set#7:
o Anus develops first
Set #8:
o Vertebrae
Set #9:
o Bony skeleton
Set #10:
o Four limbs
Set #11
o Amniotic egg
Set #12
o Eggs with shells
 Performance Task 4: Cladistic Analysis
Step 2: Using your table of characteristics, draw a cladogram to illustrate the ancestry of these
animals (this can either be done by hand or digitally, just note that the finished product will be
turned in on your website). The diagram should reflect shared characteristics as time proceeds. An
example is shown below. Notice how the different animals are all at the same time level (across the
top) since they all live today.

Example of cladogram:

***The organisms are shown at the tip of the stems, the shared derived features are
shown by solid square boxes along the branches, and the common ancestors are
shown by open circles.

Step 3: After completing the cladogram, explain at least three pieces of information that can be
obtained from your cladogram.

Step 4: Three previously unknown vertebrate animals have been discovered in a rainforest in
South America. One animal is very similar to an iguana lizard. The second animal resembles a large
rat. The third is similar to a goldfish. Place these animals on your cladogram and explain why you
placed them where you did.
 Performance Task 4: Cladistic Analysis

Step 1: Table
Animals
Rabbits Starfish Flatwor Crocodiles Jellyfish Ray-finned Sponge Snails Methanococcus
Sets Traits m fish

1 Cells X X X X X X X X X
2 Possess true X X X X X X X X
nucleus
3 Symmetry X X X X X X X
4 Bilateral X X X X X X
Symmetry
5 Mesoderm X X X X X X X
6 Head X X
develops first
7 Anus develops X X X X
first
8 Vertebrae X X X

9 Bony Skeleton X X X X

10 Four limbs X X

11 Amniotic egg X X

12 Eggs with X
shells
Total #of Xs 10 7 5 11 5 8 2 6 1

Step 2: Cladogram (include a picture of your original cladogram here it does not have
part 4 added to it yet)
 Performance Task 4: Cladistic Analysis

Step 3: Pieces of Information Derived from Cladogram

1. Crocodiles make eggs with shells

 Performance Task 4: Cladistic Analysis

2. Crocodiles,rabbits, and ray-finned fish have a vertebrae

3. Rabbits and crocodiles have 4 limbs

Step 4: Updated Cladogram (include a picture of your cladogram that has the new
vertebrates added to it)

I added the gold fish next to the ray-finned fish because they should have the same
qualities. I put the large rat thing next to the rabbit because if it resembles a rat it would
have a vertebrae,4 limbs and amniotic. I put the lizard next to the crocodiles because it
should have a vertebrae,4 limbs,amniotic eggs, and eggs with shells