Examine Figure 1.17 and answer the following questions.

How many clades are shown in the figure?

Key Concepts

Clade

A clade is a group of organisms that includes a common ancestor and all its descendants. In phylogenetics, clades are represented in tree diagrams, where each branch point indicates a divergence from a common ancestor. Understanding clades is essential for interpreting evolutionary relationships and biodiversity.

Phylogenetic Tree

A phylogenetic tree is a diagram that represents the evolutionary relationships among various biological species based on their genetic characteristics. The tree illustrates how species are related through common ancestry, with branches indicating divergence points. Analyzing a phylogenetic tree helps in identifying the number of clades present.

Taxonomy

Taxonomy is the science of classifying organisms into groups based on shared characteristics. It provides a framework for naming and organizing species, which is crucial for understanding biodiversity. In the context of clades, taxonomy helps in identifying and categorizing the different groups represented in a phylogenetic tree.