Multiple Choice
Based on a cladogram showing the evolutionary relationships among a butterfly, a beetle, a dragonfly, and a grasshopper, which of these insects is least closely related to the others?
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1. Introduction to Biology
Introduction to Taxonomy
Multiple Choice
According to a typical mammalian cladogram, the domestic cat (Felis catus) most recently shared a common ancestor with which of the following organisms?
A
Dog (Canis lupus familiaris)
B
Horse (Equus ferus caballus)
C
Human (Homo sapiens)
D
Lion (Panthera leo)
Verified step by step guidance1
Step 1: Understand the concept of a cladogram. A cladogram is a diagram that shows evolutionary relationships among organisms based on shared common ancestors. Organisms closer together on the cladogram share a more recent common ancestor compared to those farther apart.
Step 2: Identify the domestic cat (Felis catus) in the context of mammalian taxonomy. Domestic cats belong to the family Felidae, which includes other felines such as lions, tigers, and leopards.
Step 3: Compare the taxonomic classification of the domestic cat with the other organisms listed in the problem. Dogs (Canis lupus familiaris) belong to the family Canidae, horses (Equus ferus caballus) belong to the family Equidae, and humans (Homo sapiens) belong to the family Hominidae. Lions (Panthera leo), however, belong to the same family as domestic cats: Felidae.
Step 4: Recognize that organisms within the same family (Felidae) share a more recent common ancestor compared to organisms in different families. This indicates that the domestic cat most recently shared a common ancestor with the lion (Panthera leo).
Step 5: Conclude that the correct answer is lion (Panthera leo), as it is the organism most closely related to the domestic cat based on the cladogram and taxonomic classification.
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