Question

species 1 species 2 species 3 species 4
common
ancestor
based on the cladogram above, which of the following statements is true?
species 3 is more closely related to species 4 than to the other species.
species 3 is more closely related to species 1 than to the other species.
species 1 is less closely related to the common ancestor than the other species
species 1 and 2 cannot have traits in common with species 3 and 4.

Explanation:

Step1: Analyze cladogram relationships

In a cladogram, the closer the branching point, the more closely related the species. Species 3 and 4 share a more recent branching point compared to their branching points with Species 1 and 2.

Step2: Evaluate each option

• Option 1: Since Species 3 and 4 have a more recent common ancestor (closer branching point) among the given species, Species 3 is more closely related to Species 4 than to Species 1 or 2.
• Option 2: Species 3 has a more recent common ancestor with Species 4 (not Species 1) based on the cladogram.
• Option 3: All species (1, 2, 3, 4) share the same common ancestor at the base of the cladogram. They are all equally related to the common ancestor in terms of evolutionary origin.
• Option 4: Species 1, 2, 3, and 4 share the common ancestor, so they must share some traits (homologous traits) inherited from that common ancestor.

Answer:

Species 3 is more closely related to Species 4 than to the other species.