Evolutionary Tree
How Close?
Ancestor or Descendant
Vocabulary
100
There are 7 of these on this cladogram.
How many derived traits are there?
100
Are placental mammals closer to the platypus or the marsupials?
Marsupials
100
Tetrapods
Ancestor AND descendant
100
Examples on this tree include "feathers" and "lungs"
Body structures
200
Does the right or left side of the tree show the current species?
Right
200
Amphibians and mammals or snakes and lizards?
Snakes and lizards
200
Vertebrates
Ancestor only
200
A person who studies fossils to understand the ancient history of life on Earth
Paleontologist
300
These two species are the most closely related.
Echidna and platypus
300
Hagfish and perch or salamander and lizard?
Salamander and lizard
300
Fish
Descendant only
300
Two groups that share a common ancestor
Related
400
18 or 19
400
Penguin and cow or goat and human?
Goat and human
400
This is a descendant of the oldest common ancestor.
What is the penguin?
400
The process through which one species evolves into two or more over time
Speciation
500
How do you know if the branches are vertical or horizontal?
Look at the very first branch
500
Are the marsupials closer related to the platypus or the echidna?
Equally related
500
Squamates
Ancestor AND descendant
500
The continuous change of traits over time leading to new species
Evolution