Evolutionary Relatives of Whales and Dolphins
Scientific studies, including fossil and molecular evidence, show that whales and dolphins (cetaceans) are closely related to even-toed ungulates (Artiodactyla). The closest living relatives identified are hippopotamuses, but among the given choices, pigs represent the closest evolutionary link.
- Pigs (Suina): Belong to the Artiodactyla order. Modern evidence strongly supports a close relationship between cetaceans and artiodactyls, with pigs being a related group within this larger classification.
- Elephants: Belong to the Afrotheria superorder, a different evolutionary branch.
- Seals: Belong to the Carnivora order (specifically Pinnipedia). Their lineage is distinct from cetaceans.
- Zebras: Belong to the Perissodactyla order (odd-toed ungulates), which is a different group from the Artiodactyla.
Therefore, pigs are considered the most closely related animals to whales and dolphins among the options provided.
The correct answer is pigs.
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 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?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?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?
