Name : ________________________________ Grade & Section: _______________ Score :_________

School: ________________________________ Teacher : _______________ Subject: Gen. Bio II

LAS Writer : John Rey D. Mendoza
Evaluators : Christine Joy G. Sua, Michael Dave M. Nalagon, Retchie Joy B. Pisaña,
Emma T. Surita, Murdy F. Bautista
Lesson/Topic : Basic Taxonomic Concepts and Principles, Description, Nomenclature, Identification,
and Classification (Quarter 3, Week 8, LAS1)
Learning Target : Determine the ancestry of organism and its’ diversity though its’ evolved characteristics.
Reference(s) :Biologydictionary.net, 2017. Cladistics [online]. Available at <
https://biologydictionary.net/cladistics/> [Accessed 7 March 2021].

Cladistics
Cladistics refers to a biological classification system that involves the categorization of system that
involves the categorization of organism based on their traits. Organisms are typically grouped by how closely
related they are and thus, cladistics can be used to trace ancestry back to shared common ancestor and the
evolution of various characteristics. Although the classification of organisms began in the early 1900’s, cladistics
analysis and specific methodology first originated in the 1960’s by Willi Hennig, referred to as “phylogenetic
systematics”. This process involves creating phylogenies using morphological and molecular data to visualize
evolutionary history and relationships between species.
Example:
Figure 1 shows that from a common ancestry, organisms
are classified based on their evolved characteristics,
morphological features and molecular data and become diverse.
The figure also shows that when characteristic,
morphological feature or molecular criteria was added, the
relationship of one organism from other organism becomes more
specific. Thus, we can easily trace the ancestry of one organism
and how it evolved from its’ ancestry.

Figure 1- An example of cladistics showing the relationship of organism from

its common ancestry.
Activity:
Instruction: Some organisms are listed inside the 3 boxes. Classify the according to the criterion given below
to show their similar features and distinguished features. Write your answers inside each box. Use separate
sheet if necessary. (15 points).

Bull (Example) Large-mouth Bass Sea turtle

Panda Coral Snake Moth
Kiwi Cockroach Koala Bear
Sea star House cat Shrimp
Duck-billed platypus Bison Jellyfish
Cocker Spaniel Lion Frog
Spider Zebra Hermit Crab
Penguin Walrus Octopus

Cold or Presence Other

Organisms

Presence of Ability of external

Warm Mode of Nutrition of
Backbone Breathing structure(
Blooded Hair/Fur
ex.
With Without
Backbone Backbone
Land Water Both Cold Warm Carnivore Herbivore Omnivore Hair Fur Horns)
Example:
/ / / / / Horn
Bull