1. Modern Evolutionary Classification

2. Evolutionary Classification
Also known as Phylogenetic Systematics
Basically means classifying organisms based on lines of evolutionary decent rather than just similarities and differences
Phylogeny - the study of how living and extinct organisms are related to one another.

3. Common Ancestors Clades
The larger a taxa is…the farther back in time all of its members shared a common ancestor
Clades
A group of species that includes a single common ancester and all the decendents of that ancestor
Different from Linneaus’ taxa in that they must be a monophyletic group

4. Cladograms
Diagram showing the evolutionary connections and common ancestors of species.

5. Derived Characters
A trait that arose in the most recent common ancestro of a particular lineage and was passed along to its decendents
Specialized shearing teeth, retractable claws…(Carnivora)…hair (for mammals)

6. Interpreting a Cladogram
Nodes - points at which either common ancestors or derived characters occur on the cladogram
Clade - single common ancestor and decendants
Derived characters - written at nodes
SEE PAGE 519

7. DNA in Classification
DNA similarities are being used to create even more accurate cladograms based on evoltionary relationships and decent.
Pandas and red pandas were reclassified into different clades based on DNA evidence