Question

use the following cladogram to answer the questions below.

1. what separates the rabbits/primates from the crocodiles on this cladogram?
2. which organisms have these traits: vertebrae, bony skeleton, and four limbs?
3. what 5 traits do the bird and crocodiles share?
4. if you were to add the trait “warm blooded” to the cladogram, where would you put it? add it on the cladogram.
5. put a star on the common ancestor of rodents/rabbits and ray - finned fish.

Explanation:

Step1: Analyze question 8

On the cladogram, rabbits/primates have hair while crocodiles do not. Hair is the trait that separates them.

Step2: Analyze question 9

Starting from the "Vertebrae" trait and moving up to "Bony skeleton" and "Four limbs", the organisms that have all these traits are amphibians, primates, rodents & rabbits, crocodiles, and birds.

Step3: Analyze question 10

Traits shared by birds and crocodiles are vertebrae, bony skeleton, four limbs, amniotic egg, and eggs with shells.

Step4: Analyze question 11

Warm - bloodedness is a trait of birds and mammals. It should be placed on the branch leading to primates, rodents & rabbits, and birds.

Step5: Analyze question 12

The common ancestor of rodents/rabbits and ray - finned fish is at the point where the trait "Vertebrae" first appears.

Answer:

1. Hair
2. Amphibians, Primates, Rodents & rabbits, Crocodiles, Birds
3. Vertebrae, Bony skeleton, Four limbs, Amniotic egg, Eggs with shells
4. On the branch leading to primates, rodents & rabbits, and birds
5. At the point where the trait "Vertebrae" first appears