VISUAL SKILLS Based on the tree below, which statement is not correct?


a.Goats and humans form a sister group. b. Salamanders are a sister group to the group containing lizards, goats, and humans. c. Salamanders are as closely related to goats as to humans. d. Lizards are more closely related to salamanders than to humans.

Verified step by step guidance

1. <Analyze the tree to identify sister groups.>
2. <Goats and humans are not present in the tree, so statement a is irrelevant.>
3. <Salamanders, lizards, goats, and humans are not present in the tree, so statements b, c, and d are irrelevant.>
4. <Since none of the statements a, b, c, or d are relevant to the given tree, all statements are incorrect.>
5. <Conclude that the problem statements do not match the provided tree.>

Key Concepts

Phylogenetic Trees

Phylogenetic trees are diagrams that represent evolutionary relationships among various biological species based on their genetic or physical characteristics. Each branch point, or node, indicates a common ancestor, while the tips of the branches represent the current species. Understanding how to read these trees is crucial for determining relationships and lineage among organisms.

Sister Groups

Sister groups are pairs of taxa that are each other's closest relatives, sharing a more recent common ancestor than with any other group. In a phylogenetic tree, sister groups diverge from the same node. Identifying sister groups helps clarify evolutionary relationships and can influence interpretations of traits and behaviors among species.

Cladistics

Cladistics is a method of classifying organisms based on common ancestry and the branching patterns of evolution. It focuses on shared derived characteristics (synapomorphies) to group organisms into clades. This approach is essential for understanding the evolutionary history depicted in phylogenetic trees and for evaluating statements about relationships among different species.