Question

Lancelet (outgroup) Lamprey Tuna Vertebral column Salamander Hinged jaws Four walking legs Turtle Amniotic egg Leopard Hair Lets consider the group known as fish, this includes the Lamprey and the Tuna. A. Is this a monophyletic group? (1 point) B. Why or why not? (2 points) Now consider the group known as tetrapods, these include Salamanders, Turtles and the Leopard. C. Are they a monophyletic group? (1 point) D. Is the Vertebral Column ancestral or derived for this group (tetrapods)? (1 point) E. Is the Amniotic Egg ancestral or derived for this group (tetrapods)? (1 point)

Answer 1

Answer-

According to the given question-

Here we have a phylogenetic trees with several characteristics such as vertebrae column are present in fish, salamander, turtle and leopard. Tetrapods are salamander, turtle and leopard. While amniotic eggs are characteristics of turtle and leopard. Lancelet is a outgroup.

Question A-

Considering the group belongs to fish that includes tuna and lamprey are a monophylectic group.

Question B - because they share a common characteristics of vertebrae column present in their ancestors and they also have vertebrae column.

Question C -

Considering the group tetrapods which includes salamander, turtle and leopard, they also belongs to monophylectic group because they share common characteristics of vertebrae column, hinged jaws, and four walking legs found in their ancestors.

Question D -

Vertebrae column are present in the ancestors of tetrapods , not a derived characteristics and all the tetrapods have vertebrae column.

Question E -

Here amniotic eggs are derived for the salamander but ancestral for the turtle and leopard. So considering all the tetrapods we can say that it is a derived characteristics.