Phylogeny

Question 1

What is the difference between analogous/convergent and homologous traits?

Answer 1

Analogous/convergent traits are similarities that evolved independently–homologous traits are shared by members of a group, coming from one unique ancestor

Question 2

What are homoplasies?

Answer 2

Features across species that have the same function but evolved separately/convergently.

Question 3

What are the different cladogram groups/their differences?

Answer 3

Monophyletic group: clade with ancestor & all descendants
Polyphyletic group: independent/convergent similarities
Paraphyletic group: includes some but not all descendants.

Question 4

What are the two methods to distinguish shared-derived traits from primitive/analogous traits?

Answer 4

Outgroup Analysis: Traits only shared by the ingroup would be shared-derived traits to look for
Parsimony: The cladogram with fewest evolutionary changes is usually preferred