Chapter 26: Taxonomy and Systematics



Learning Objectives 

26.1 Taxonomy

•   Compare and contrast organisms from each of the three domains of life.

•   Explain why phenotypic similarity does not necessarily indicate close evolutionary relationship.

 

26.2 Phylogenetic Trees

•   Understand what a phylogeny represents.

•   Describe the difference between shared primitive and derived characters.

•   Differentiate among monophyletic, paraphyletic, and polyphyletic groups. 

•   Interpret or construct a phylogenetic tree, including cladogenetic or anagenetic events. 

 

26.3 Cladistics

•   Explain why only shared, derived characters indicate close evolutionary relationship.

•   Demonstrate how a cladogram is constructed.

•   Discuss how a phylogenetic tree can indicate the timing of species diversification.

•   Discuss the differences in approaches to phylogenetic analysis. 

 

26.4 Molecular Clocks

•   Explain how DNA sequence data can be used to establish the timing of evolutionary divergence of species.

 

26.5 Horizontal Gene Transfer

•   Explain why horizontal gene transfer can complicate evolutionary hypotheses.

•   Explain why the "tree of life" is being replaced by the "web of life."

 

Chapter Materials

26.1 Taxonomy 

26.2 Phylogenetic Trees 

26.3 Cladistics 

26.4 Molecular Clocks 

26.5 Horizontal Gene Transfer