Modern Evolutionary Classification

Learning Targets“I Can…”

• Define a “cladogram.”• -Define a “derived character.” • -Interpret a cladogram.• -Create a cladogram to show evolutionary

relationships among species.• -Explain how the nodes on a cladogram

indicate evolutionary relatedness among species.

History of Classification

History of Classification

Evolutionary Classification

• Because there are limitations to Linnaeus’ method of classification, scientists today try to assign species to a larger group that reflect how closely members of those groups are related to each other

• Modern classification is based on Charles Darwin’s ideas of evolutionary relationships

• Modern classification has led to phylogeny, which is the study of how living and extinct organisms are related to each other

Cladograms

What information can be gained from these diagrams?

Cladograms

• A cladogram links groups of organisms by showing how evolutionary lines, or lineages, branched off from common ancestors.

Cladograms

Cladogram Analysis

Cladograms

Cladograms can be based on morphological features (how species look) or molecular (what species are made of)