Study Questions Chapter 2 - Vertebrate Phylogeny

1. Draw a phylogeny of the major groups of tetrapods and include all major tetrapod lineages. On your phylogeny also include the following outgroups: Actinopterygii (Ray finned fish), Actinista (Lobefin that are not lungfish), Dipnoi (Lungfish). Your phylogeny must include the proper cladistic relationships.
2. On your phylogeny use lines or brackets to demarcate the following sub groups of tetrapods: Lissamphibia, Amniota, Reptilia, Diapsida, Anapsida, Lepidosauria, Squamata.
3. Outline the evolutionary sequence from the common ancestor of all tetrapods Panderichthys, the 4 lobed finned fish, to the common ancestor of all tetrapods.
4. Outline the developmental and evolutionary transition from the earliest tetrapod amphibians to more modern amphibian groups. Give two pieces of developmental evidence for the process of paedomorphosis.
5. Define the following terms: apomorphy, synapomorphy, plesiomorphy.