A phylogenetic tree representing the evolutionary relationship between various vertebrates is shown below.
Given this tree topology, which one or more of the following statements is/are correct?
To analyze the phylogenetic tree and determine the correct statement, let's examine the relationships shown:
- Mammals represent the outgroup with respect to reptiles: In the given phylogenetic tree, mammals are on a separate branch, branching off earlier than reptiles. Thus, mammals do act as an outgroup when comparing them with reptiles. This statement is correct.
- Crocodiles are more closely related to turtles than they are to dinosaurs: In the tree, crocodiles and dinosaurs are closer to each other than to turtles. Therefore, this statement is incorrect.
- Dinosaurs are more closely related to crocodiles than they are to birds: According to modern classifications, birds are considered a group of theropod dinosaurs. In the tree, birds are directly branched with dinosaurs, closely related to crocodiles. Thus, this statement is incorrect.
- Reptiles are nested within mammals: The tree shows that reptiles and mammals are separate groups, so reptiles are not nested within mammals. Hence, this statement is incorrect.
The correct answer, according to the phylogenetic tree, is that mammals represent the outgroup with respect to reptiles.
Important Questions from Phylogenetic trees
- Newts produce tetrodotoxin (TTX), a poison that targets sodium ion channels, for defense against their predators, garter snakes. Several species of garter snakes are resistant to newt TTX due to specific known amino acid substitutions in garter snake sodium channels. Which one of the following is best-suited to identify whether this adaptation in garter snakes has a single origin or multiple independent origins?
A phylogenetic tree for the evolution of two pigmentation traits in species of fish is shown for clades X, Y and Z. Genes A and/or B, if mutated, can cause dark pigmentation in the body.
Which one or more of the following statements is/are correct?- Whales and dolphins are hypothesized to have evolved along the northern shore of the Tethys Sea, prior to the Indian plate's collision with the Eurasian plate. To which one of the following animals are these aquatic mammals most closely related?
In the phylogenetic trees shown, the tips represent different species of geckos(labeled A to E) and the areas to which they belong. Which one of these is most consistent with the hypothesis that the geckos colonized the Western Ghats from Northeast India through the Eastern Ghats?
The phylogenetic tree depicts the relationship between 5 species of snakes(labelled A to E) and provides information about their habitat specialization. Given the principle of parsimony (least number of evolutionary changes required)and that ancestor Y was terrestrial, which one of the options given is correct?
