In a cladogram, the derived trait appears at a node.
Further Explanation:
Cladistics deals with grouping of organisms based on traits shared with their ancestors. It is used to study the evolutionary relationship between the species. The grouping is based on different phenotypes rather than all observable characteristics. Grouping is based on the common ancestry and shared derived traits. The method of out grouping is very beneficial in determining the polarity of the traits, and hence forms an essential part of the principle of parsimony.
There are two types of character states, namely, ancestral traits and derived traits. During evolutionary studies, out-groups (outside group species are closely related to the species inside the study group) help us to find out what kind of trait is available. A node of cladogram is consists of derived traits that determine to study the evolutionary relationship. For the construction of phylogeny, its identification is important. Cladistics analysis is most appropriately studied by studying an out-group.
Learn more:
Answer Details:
Grade: High School
Subject: Biology
Chapter: Evolution
Keywords:
Cladistics, related species, evolved, character, group, node, derived, phenotypic, determined, parsimony, phylogeny, relatedness, species.
