2.3 phylogenies and cladograms

terms

Phylogeny/phylogenetic tree/cladogram/evolutionary tree: A branched diagram that shows the relation between species

node: each branch point that represents a common ancestor

clade: group of all organisms descended from a common ancestor

outgroup: organism not in the group whose evolutionary relationships are being investigated; furthest related and first to branch off

Cladograms

• organisms grouped together by traits (DNA) shared by their common ancestors