Name
Vertebrate Evolution - Exam 1
1.
100 points
Winter 02/3
( 15) Cladograms
a. Use the cladogram below to fill in the blanks
is the definition of a monophyletic clade
using the numbers at the top of the cladogram, give an
example of a monophyletic clade.
using the numbers at the top of the cladogram, give an
example of a larger monophyletic clade that includes the
clade in the previous question nested withing
is the definition of a paraphyletic clade.
give an example of a paraphyletic clade using the
numbers at the top of the cladogram
is the definition of a polyphyletic clade
give an example of a paraphyletic clade using the
numbers at the top of the cladogram
is the definition of a sister group
give an example of a sister group using the numbers at
the top of the cladogram and identify the group to which
it is a sister.
is the significance of the branch points in the cladogram
b.
Define:
plesiomorphy
symplesiomorphy
apomorphy
synapomorphy
autapomorphy
2.
(5) Why could species, in either classification scheme, be considered the only reality in biology?
3.
(5) Using Archaeopteryx as an example, show how the relationships of transitional species are handled in the traditional
Linnean scheme, and by cladistics.
4.
(10) The Cambrian Explosion
a.
What is the Cambrian Explosion? Describe the three theories and any possible interaction between them to
explain the Cambrian Explosion.
b.
What are Stromatolites? How are they formed? How might they be related to the causes of the Cambrian
Explosion?
5.
6.
(10) Ediacara and Burgess Shale
a.
Describe how and when the Ediacara and Burgess Shale faunas were preserved
b.
What do the Ediacara and Burgess Shale fauna tell us about the history of life? Name and describe one organism
from each and indicate its relationship to modern organisms.
(10) Fill in the blanks
a
list three chordate characteristics
b
c
d How do we know there were chordates in the
Cambrian?
e Which phylum of invertebrates is thought to be most
closely related to chordates?
f What is the common trait that the invertebrates in
"e" share with chordates?
g What is the reason that Urochordates are considered to
be chordates?
h What do we call the situation in which adults retain
juvenile traits, or organisms rach sexual maturity
while still maintaining juvenile form?
i How is the phenomenon in “h” related to the early
evolution of chordates?
j What characteristic distinguishes primitive chordates
from agnathan fish?
7.
(15) Fill in the blanks
a
b
is the reason why it is difficult to relate modern
agnaths to fossil agnaths
are two possible reasons for the appearance of bone
in agnaths
c
d
is the reason that in general modern lampreys are
not good models for how Paleozoic agnathans lived
e
is the one element of the lamprey life style that
may be relevant to the behavior of Paleozoic
agnathans
f
briefly identify Haikouichthyes and Myllokunmigia
g
what is the significance of the two organisms in “f”
h
briefly identify Haikouella
i
what is the significance of Haikouella
j
what is the character that primarily separates the
two classes of Paleozoic agnathans?
k
is the reason we think that Hemicyclaspis and its
relatives possibly possessed an electrical sensory
system
l
is the order of agnathans that is often considered to
be the ancestors of modern lampreys
m
is the reason that the order in “l” is linked to
lampreys
n
is the general term for organisms with jaws
o
are very primitive vertebrates originally known
only by their tooth-like feeding elements
8.
(10) Briefly identify each group and give their primary characteristics.
Acanthodii
Anaspida
Cyclostomata
Heterostraci
Placodermi
9
(10) Complete the table below by writing in the names of the eras and periods with the oldest at the bottom.
Era
Period
Epoch
10.
(10) Identify five bones from each diagram. If you identify 6, I will look at only the first five
A
G
B
H
C
I
D
J
E
K
F
L