Question

You will choose an adaptation from the list at the end of this assignment page.

Method of Evaluation:

You will present your information in a formal written report. The report will include a phylogenetic tree that you have create to illustrate the main findings of your report. You will be graded based on the following: 

• evidence of research to investigate the topic (at least four unique sources identified) 
• members of the group described and identified by species name (binomial nomenclature); at least four members of the ingroup
• description and identification of the outgroup 
• a phylogenetic tree of at least five members with the outgroup labeled 
• evidence of understanding of the phylogeny within the group (is it monophyletic or paraphyletic?) 
• derived characters identified between nodes 
• ancestral character identified (and explained) 
• details of the techniques used to determine the phylogenic relationship 
• references shown where they are used in the body of the paper, and a reference list at the end

Choose from the following topics. If desired, present another idea to your teacher for approval but make sure it is clear. You must get prior approval for any topic from your teacher as he or she may not more than one student in a class to research the same idea. 

• evolution of hominids 
• vascularization in plants 
• cephalization in invertebrates 
• development of flight in birds 
• development of flight in insects 
• development of thermoregulation in animals 
• changes in the alternation of generations in plants 
• development of a digestive tract in animals 
• adaptations to life on land in vertebrates (respiration) 
• evolution of fish 
• evolution of whales 
• evolution of horses

Answer 1

Evolution of whales