KEY CONCEPT Modern classification is based on evolutionary relationships.

Cladistics is classification based on common ancestry. Phylogeny is the evolutionary history for a group of species. evidence from living species, fossil record, and molecular data shown with branching tree diagrams

Cladistics is a common method to make evolutionary trees. classification based on common ancestry species placed in order that they descended from common ancestor

A cladogram is an evolutionary tree made using cladistics. A clade is a group of species that shares a common ancestor. Each species in a clade shares some traits with the ancestor. Each species in a clade has traits that have changed.

basis of arranging species in cladogram Derived characters are traits shared in different degrees by clade members. FOUR LIMBS WITH DIGITS Tetrapoda clade 1 Amniota clade 2 Reptilia clade 3 Diapsida clade 4 Archosauria clade 5 EMBRYO PROTECTED BY AMNIOTIC FLUID OPENING IN THE SIDE OF THE SKULL SKULL OPENINGS IN FRONT OF THE EYE & IN THE JAW FEATHERS & TOOTHLESS BEAKS. SKULL OPENINGS BEHIND THE EYE DERIVED CHARACTER basis of arranging species in cladogram more closely related species share more derived characters represented on cladogram as hash marks

Nodes represent the most recent common ancestor of a clade. FOUR LIMBS WITH DIGITS CLADE Tetrapoda clade 1 Amniota clade 2 Reptilia clade 3 Diapsida clade 4 Archosauria clade 5 Clades can be identified by snipping a branch under a node. FEATHERS AND TOOTHLESS BEAKS. SKULL OPENINGS IN FRONT OF THE EYE AND IN THE JAW OPENING IN THE SIDE OF THE SKULL SKULL OPENINGS BEHIND THE EYE EMBRYO PROTECTED BY AMNIOTIC FLUID DERIVED CHARACTER NODE

Molecular evidence reveals species’ relatedness. Molecular data may confirm classification based on physical similarities. Molecular data may lead scientists to propose a new classification. DNA is usually given the last word by scientists.