Animal Phylogenetic Tree Portfolio Mrs. Burke Biology B BEFORE YOU BEGIN: You will need to read all three portfolio lessons (Unit 8, Lessons 4-6) in order to fully understand how to put together a phylogenetic tree, cladogram, and complete this portfolio. Instructions You are taking on the role of an evolutionary biologist to explain the ancestry and evolution of an imaginary alien species called a Xenite. There are two parts to this portfolio. Phylogenetic Trees (Cladogram) Phylogenetic trees, also known as cladograms, start with a common ancestor that links all the other organisms in the tree. Different line lengths represent different lengths of time. A short line connecting 2 species indicates a more recent ancestry than a longer line. Here is an example. Part 1 There are five species of Xenite that have been found on a planet in another solar system. Based on the order of rock layers in which fossils were found, species A appears to be the oldest (and probably most primitive). There is NO evidence to support the relative age of the other species of Xenite. Complete the following activities to build a cladogram of Xenites. Fill in the table below noting which species of Xenite has each characteristic below, marking each as a yes or no. a. Spikes b. Eyestalks c. Tail d. Mouth Spikes Eyestalks Tail Mouth A No No No No B No Yes No Yes C No Yes Yes Yes D Yes Yes No No E Yes Yes No Yes Now figure out the order of evolution of each Xenite (A through E). Remember, based on the fossil record it is believed that Xenite A is the ancestral species. Create your cladogram for the Xenites (there are a few different ways to do this, meaning more than one correct answer). Be creative! Part 2 A new Xenite species has now been discovered. There is no fossil evidence to suggest the relative evolutionary age of this new species. 1. Explain how you would create a new cladogram with Xenite species F. Include: a. Explain the evolutionary history of the organ