Systematics and Phylogenies Flashcards
What is taxonomy?
A way to organize organisms.
What is the Hierarchy of Ranks?
- Kingdom
- Family
- Genus
- Species
What is Nomenclature?
A way to describe organisms.
What is the polynomial Method?
An outdated method that basically lists off all physical attributes of an organism/plant.
What is the Binomial Method?
a current method used to name a species.
What does the binomial method contain?
- Genus
- specific epithet
- Author
Galeorchis spectabilis (L.) Rydb.
A bionomial method example
What will always be uppercase when reading off a species?
Genus
What will always be lowercased when reading off a species?
species
Phylogenetic Tree
a diagram that shows the lines of evolutionary decent from a Common Ancestor.
What will always be at the bottom of a phylogenetic tree?
The common ancestors, a species or population at one point in time.
What will always be at the top of a phylogenetic tree?
The present species
What is a split between two lines called on a phylogenetic tree?
A node
What is a lineage on a phylogenetic tree?
The line leading up to the node.
What does each node represent?
A speciation event
How does a phylogenetic tree grow?
As lineages continue to split, new traits arise while some of the past traits are lost.
What is the first line in a phylogenetic tree containing evolutionary decent called?
A “root” or basal
What does it mean if two branches on a phylogenetic tree are close?
They have a more recent common ancestor
What happens if you rotate the branch on a phylogenetic tree? Does the information it carries change?
NO! It doesn’t matter if you rotate a branch, it will still be the same tree and the information does NOT change.
What are PLANT phylogenetic trees based on?
DNA, shared characteristics, and fossil evidence
What is a monophyletic group?
the most recent common ancestor and ALL its decendents
What is a paraphyletic group?
the most recent common ancestor and SOME of its descendents
What is a monophyletic group called, and what does it look like on a phylogenetic tree?
It is called a CLADE, and it is usually the tips of each branch. Usually the triangle.
What is a Non-monophyletic group called and what does it look like on a phylogenetic tree?
It is called a GRADE, and usually the branches on a linage is parallel to each other.
What does MONO mean?
One
What does PARA mean?
TWO
POLYphyletic?
NO shared common ancestors, but has similar charecteristics.
PARAphyletic?
SOME descendants and has common ancestors.
