CLADOGRAM PROJECT
TASK: You are to create a cladogram organizing 10 hypothetical “animals” based on 10 derived characters.
1. Create a list of 10 derived characters – mixing synapomorphic with symplesiomorphic traits.
2. Using those 10 characters, develop 10 hypothetical animals. Give your animals a VARYING number of those
derived traits.
3. Either by drawing, using cut up magazines or images on the internet; illustrate your animals on separate sheets of
paper. (must be at least 1/4 sheet large)
4. Give proper scientific names to those hypothetical animal species – be sure to develop at least three different
genera in your group of 8. Format the scientific names correctly (capitalization, italics, underline).
5. Construct a cladogram using your hypothetical animals. Put this on a large piece of paper (provided by Mrs. Corl)
6.
Make sure to include:
o Animal Pictures (10)
o Traits (10)
o Scientific Names (10)
CLADOGRAM RUBRIC
Name(s)______________________________________________________________________
Category
Animal Traits
(10)
Excellent
All traits are present
and on the cladogram.
10
Cladogram Accuracy
(10)
Illustrations
(40)
Creativity, Originality,
Neatness, Effort
(10)
Scientific Names
(16)
Attention During Peer
Presentations (10)
Work is clear,
complete, easy to
understand and
contains few technical
errors.
10
Illustrations are
complete, and
demonstrate strong
effort.
40
Work is neat, creative
and demonstrates
strong effort.
10
Names are written
correctly and are
present for all
organisms.
16
Behavior was as
expected and
considerate of peers.
10
Good
Traits lack in
completeness.
6
Work is clear,
complete, but contains
a few technical errors.
6
Illustrations are
complete, but lacking
in effort.
24
Work demonstrates
effort, but is slightly
messy and rushed.
6
Fair
Traits are significantly
lacking in
completeness
3
Work is
understandable, but is
incomplete and
contains many
technical errors.
3
Illustrations are
significantly lacking in
completeness and
effort.
12
Work looks rushed,
unfinished or messy.
3
Names are present,
but lacking in
correctness or
completeness.
10
Names are
significantly lacking in
correctness or
completeness.
5
Had to be reminded
once of proper
behavior, but overall
was respectful of
peers.
7
Had to be reminded of
proper behavior
numerous times
during presentation.
4
Poor
Traits are absent from
cladogram
0
Cladogram is
completely inaccurate.
0
Illustrations are
absent.
0
Work is missing,
illegible or was copied.
0
Names are absent.
0
Was distracting,
inattentive and rude
during presentations.
0
TOTAL _____________ / 96