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An outdated method that basically lists off all physical attributes of an organism/plant.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.
