Cladograms and Vertebrates Vocabulary

Flashcards about Cladograms and Vertebrates

Cladogram

A diagram that arranges organisms into groups based on evolutionary development and shared characteristics from a common ancestor.

Cyclostomes

An early group of vertebrates.

Gnathostome stem-group

A stem-group of jawed vertebrates.

Crown-group

The group of vertebrates that includes jawed vertebrates.

Endochondral bone

Bone formed within cartilage.

Neurocranium

The skull's skeletal structure that encases the brain

Data Matrix

A data structure used to organize information on organisms and their characteristics for cladogram creation.

Primitive Characteristic

A shared trait by all organisms being considered which is the starting point for cladogram creation

Derived Characteristics

Traits that only a portion of the group have.

Closely Related Groups/Clades:

Groups that share more derived characteristics from a recent common ancestor.