2. (1) What is a Phylogenetic Tree?
• A diagram used to show the evolutionary
relationships between different organisms.
• Also Includes:
– The common ancestor.
– The order organisms evolved in.
• Based off of Evidence:
– Fossils + Comparative Anatomy
– DNA
– Geology
3. (2) The Common Ancestor
• The organism by which all other organisms
evolved from.
• The most primitive ancestor for that type of
organism.
4. (3) The Parts
• Bottom / Base = Oldest Organism/s
• Top = Most recently evolved organisms
• Organisms after a trait:
– Evolved after that trait existed in populations.
– Contain those traits.
• Organisms before a trait:
– Evolved before that trait existed in populations.
– Do NOT contain those traits.
5. (4) Example
1
2 3 4 5 6
Multicellular
Gills
Lungs
Wings
Live Birth
LimbsFins
Eggs
On 4 On 2
6. (4) Example
1
2 3 4 5 6
Multicellular
Gills
Lungs
Wings
Live Birth
LimbsFins
Eggs
On 4 On 2
