PHYLOGENY

&
CLADISTICS
Which similarities are most important?
 It’s not always easy to tell!

 Evolutionary classification – classifying based on

phylogeny, not just structural characteristics.

 Phylogeny – the study of evolutionary

relationships among organisms.
Classification using Cladograms
 Many biologists now use a method called cladistic
analysis.

 Cladisticanalysis identifies and considers only new

characteristics that arise as lineages (new line of
organisms) evolve.

 Characteristicsthat appear in recent parts of a

lineage but not in its older members are called
derived characters.
Cladogram
Cladogram
Check out this cladogram!
Let’s make a Cladogram
 Cladogram
Other Characteristics used to indicate
Evolutionary connection
 Similarities in DNA can be used to help determine
classification and evolutionary relationships.
 The more similar the DNA of two species, the more
recently they shared a common ancestor, and the
more closely they are related in evolutionary terms.
 The more two species have diverged from each
other, the less similar their DNA will be.
 Read DNA Evidence on p. 454 looking at Figure 18-
8.
Other Characteristics used to indicate
Evolutionary connection
 Molecular Clocks – monitor “neutral” mutations
that help estimate the length of time two species
have been evolving independently.
 Read Molecular Clocks on p. 455.
 - In your notes, compare Positive, Negative and
Neutral mutations.
 Molecular Clocks
Which species appear to be most
closely related?
Where is Species B and C’s most
recent ancestor?
Where is Species A and C’s most
recent ancestor?
Let’s go back to our earlier animation
Cladogram
Other Characteristics used to indicate
Evolutionary connection
 Similarities in Embryological Development
 Modern Taxonomist’s Criteria
 Similarities and differences in structure
 Homologous structures – same structure but different function
 Indicate evolutionary connection

 Phylogeny
 Similarities in DNA/RNA
 Molecular Clocks
 Similarities in Embryological development