Laboratory 1 SBB30 23

Constructing Cladogram
Based on the ENSI/SENSI Lesson Making Cladograms

Introduction One way to discover how groups of organisms are related to each other (phylogeny) is to compare the anatomical structures (body organs and parts) of many different organisms. Corresponding organs and other body parts that are alike in basic structure and origin are said to be homologous structures (for example, the front legs of a horse, wings of a bird, flippers of a whale, and the arms of a person are all homologous to each other). When different organisms share a large number of homologous structures, it is considered strong evidence that they are related to each other. When organisms are related to each other, it means they must have had a common ancestor at some time in the past. If there are specific of those features shared by different groups of organisms, we say that those features are shared derived characters or synapomorphy. When we do studies in comparative anatomy, and find different numbers of shared derived characters exist between different groups, we can draw a diagram of branching lines which connect those groups, showing their different degrees of relationship. These diagrams look like trees and are called "phylogenetic trees" or "cladograms" (Fig. 1). The more derived structures two organisms share, the closer is their evolutionary relationship i.e. the more recently their common ancestor lived. On the cladogram, close relationships are shown by a recent fork from the supporting branch. The closer the fork in the branch between two organisms, the closer is their relationship.

Ancestral character Derived character

Figure 1. A cladogram showing the terminology used to describe ancestral and derived character in synapomorphy state.

Objective Construct a cladogram by using a set of hypothetical animals called Caminalcules.

Laboratory 1 SBB30 23

Procedures 1. Below are series of characteristic to describe Caminalcules. Give a number to each animal and examine them based on these characteristics. Character A: "eyes present" (+) versus "eyes absent" (-) Character B: "body mantle present" (+) versus "body mantle absent" (-) Character C: "paired, anterior non-jointed appendages present" (+) versus "paired, anterior non-jointed appendages not present" (-) Character D: "anterior appendages flipperlike" (+) versus "anterior appendages not flipperlike" (-) Character E: "eyes stalked" (+) versus "eyes not stalked" (-) Character F: "body mantle posterior bulbous" (+) versus "body mantle posterior not bulbous" (-) Character G: "eyes fused into one" (+) versus "eyes separate" (-) Character H: "forelimbs with digits" (+) versus "forelimbs without digits" (-) 2. Determine which of the characteristics each animal has. In the table below place a + in the box if the animal has the characteristic. 1 A B C D E F G H Character 2 3 Animal 4 5 6 7 8

3. Draw a cladogram showing hypothetical evolutionary relationship of Caminalcules by using the table above (see Appendix). The character shared by all or most of the animal could be considered as the primitive character or the ancestor. Questions 1. Which of the characters is considered as primitive? 2

Laboratory 1 SBB30 23
2. Which animals form a monophyletic group? 3. Are there any paraphyletic groups? If yes, name the animal(s) in the groups.

Appendix: Sample of cladogram construction

Data Table

Cladogram Hagfishe s Lamprey s Lungfish es Amphibia ns

Character

Braincase Backbone Jaw Tetrapods

Amphibians + + + +

Animals Lampreys Lungfishes + + + + + -

Hagfishes + -