Based on the tree in Figure 32.11, which statement is false? a. The animal kingdom is monophyletic. b. Acoelomate flatworms are more closely related to echinoderms than to annelids. c. Sponges are basal animals. d. Bilaterians form a clade

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the key terms and their meanings: Monophyletic refers to a group of organisms that consists of all the descendants of a common ancestor. Basal refers to early branches in the evolutionary tree, indicating primitive or ancestral characteristics. A clade is a group of organisms that includes a common ancestor and all its descendants.
2. Examine the tree in Figure 32.11 to understand the relationships and evolutionary lineage of the groups mentioned in the options.
3. Check the relationship between acoelomate flatworms, echinoderms, and annelids on the tree to verify if acoelomate flatworms are indeed more closely related to echinoderms than to annelids.
4. Verify if the animal kingdom as depicted in the tree forms a monophyletic group, meaning all organisms in the animal kingdom should trace back to a single common ancestor within the group.
5. Confirm if the statement about bilaterians forming a clade is true by checking if all bilaterians share a common ancestor that is not shared with any non-bilaterian organisms.

Key Concepts

Monophyly

Monophyly refers to a group of organisms that includes an ancestor and all its descendants. In the context of the animal kingdom, a monophyletic group indicates that all animals share a common ancestor, which is crucial for understanding evolutionary relationships. This concept helps clarify the classification of organisms and their evolutionary history.

Phylogenetic Tree

A phylogenetic tree is a diagram that represents evolutionary relationships among various biological species based on similarities and differences in their physical or genetic characteristics. In the question, Figure 32.11 likely illustrates these relationships, helping to determine which statements about the relationships among animal groups are accurate or false.

Clades

A clade is a group of organisms that includes a common ancestor and all its descendants, forming a branch on the tree of life. Understanding clades is essential for evaluating statements about evolutionary relationships, such as whether bilaterians form a distinct clade, which can influence interpretations of relatedness among different animal groups.