Question

chapter 17, 18, & 19 study questions
1
according to the phylogeny depicted in the figure, what type of vertebrate is most closely related to crocodilians?
multiple choice
lizards
turtles
mammals
birds

Explanation:

To determine the vertebrate most closely related to crocodilians, we analyze the phylogenetic tree. In a phylogeny, organisms that share a more recent common ancestor (i.e., are connected by a shorter branch distance) are more closely related. Looking at the tree, crocodilians and birds share a more recent common ancestor (their branches diverge from a closer node) compared to lizards, turtles, or mammals.

Answer:

Birds (the option corresponding to "Birds" among the multiple - choice options)