Cladogram Lab
ABSTRACT
Phylogenetic systematics is away to determine the relatedness between species by creating cladograms. In this study, we observed the difference between cladograms created with morphological traits and molecular DNA with respect to Felis cattus, Canis familiaris, Didelphis virginiana, Odocoileus virginianus, and the Equus caballus. The results demonstrated that although a species is similar or closely related in regards to morphological traits, it does not mean that their DNA composition will be the same. This study is significant because it demonstrates the importance of phylogenetic systematics of both morphological and molecular traits.
INTRODUCTION
The study of phylogenetic systematics was first introduced in the 1950’s (Biology Department, 2012). It is defined as a concept used to delineate species as the smallest aggregate population that can be united by shared derived characters (Russell et al 2010). Phylogenetic systematics is a way to determine the relatedness between species by creating a cladogram. It is based on the fact that evolutionary processes in species can be represented through a branching pattern that demonstrates the time span and degree of relatedness between the species or taxon (Biology Department, 2012). These branching trees are used to determine the common ancestor between the species and where the original trait that has evolved into slightly different forms in the descendants derived from. In this study, morphological traits were observed as well as haemoglobin A was used to determine the morphological and molecular relatedness between the species respectively. Haemoglobin A is created by a string of amino acids and is the oxygen carrier in the bloodstream of animals (Biology Department, 2012). Due to its important role in the body, the assumption can be made that certain parts of the haemoglobin A would not have much variability in it because high variability would yield mutant molecules that would not be able to
Phylogenetic systematics is away to determine the relatedness between species by creating cladograms. In this study, we observed the difference between cladograms created with morphological traits and molecular DNA with respect to Felis cattus, Canis familiaris, Didelphis virginiana, Odocoileus virginianus, and the Equus caballus. The results demonstrated that although a species is similar or closely related in regards to morphological traits, it does not mean that their DNA composition will be the same. This study is significant because it demonstrates the importance of phylogenetic systematics of both morphological and molecular traits.
INTRODUCTION
The study of phylogenetic systematics was first introduced in the 1950’s (Biology Department, 2012). It is defined as a concept used to delineate species as the smallest aggregate population that can be united by shared derived characters (Russell et al 2010). Phylogenetic systematics is a way to determine the relatedness between species by creating a cladogram. It is based on the fact that evolutionary processes in species can be represented through a branching pattern that demonstrates the time span and degree of relatedness between the species or taxon (Biology Department, 2012). These branching trees are used to determine the common ancestor between the species and where the original trait that has evolved into slightly different forms in the descendants derived from. In this study, morphological traits were observed as well as haemoglobin A was used to determine the morphological and molecular relatedness between the species respectively. Haemoglobin A is created by a string of amino acids and is the oxygen carrier in the bloodstream of animals (Biology Department, 2012). Due to its important role in the body, the assumption can be made that certain parts of the haemoglobin A would not have much variability in it because high variability would yield mutant molecules that would not be able to
References: Bhagat, S. 2002. "Canis lupus familiaris" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed March 20, 2012 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Canis_lupus_familiaris.html Biology Department. 2012. Introductory Biology 2: BIOL 1004 Lab Manual. Carleton University Press, Ottawa. Dewey, T. 2003. "Odocoileus virginianus" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed March 20, 2012 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Odocoileus_virginianus.html LaBruna D. 2001. Introduced species summary project: Domestic Cat (Felis Catus). Available online. Newell, T. and R. Berg 2003. "Didelphis virginiana" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed March 20, 2012 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Didelphis_virginiana.html Russell, P.J., S.L. Wolfe, P.E. Hertz, C. Starr, M.B. Fenton, H. Addy, D. Maxwell, T. Haffie, and K. Davey. 2010. Biology: Exploring the Diversity of Life, first Canadian edition. Nelson Education Ltd., Toronto. Sorin, A. 2001. "Equus caballus" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed March 20, 2012 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Equus_caballus.html