Question

The diagram shows an animal cladogram. Which table correctly matches the features to the letters labeled on the cladogram? A. Letter on Cladogram Feature W four limbs X amniotic eggs Y hair Z eggs with shells B. Letter on Cladogram Feature W amniotic eggs X eggs with shells Y hair Z four limbs C. Letter on Cladogram Feature W hair X eggs with shells Y amniotic eggs Z four limbs D. Letter on Cladogram Feature W hair X four limbs Y eggs with shells Z amniotic eggs a B b D c A d C

Answer 1

To determine the correct table that matches the features to the letters labeled on the cladogram, we need to interpret the evolution of features according to the branching of the cladogram.

Typically, in a cladogram:

- Lower down on the cladogram (earlier branching) would represent more ancient characteristics shared by more groups.
- Higher up (later branching) would represent more derived characteristics that appear in fewer groups.

Assuming that the letters W, X, Y, and Z represent different points of divergence on the cladogram, we need to find out which features correlate with those points.

Let's look at the options:

- **Option A:**
- W: four limbs
- X: amniotic eggs
- Y: hair
- Z: eggs with shells

- **Option B:**
- W: amniotic eggs
- X: eggs with shells
- Y: hair
- Z: four limbs

- **Option C:**
- W: hair
- X: eggs with shells
- Y: amniotic eggs
- Z: four limbs

- **Option D:**
- W: hair
- X: four limbs
- Y: eggs with shells
- Z: amniotic eggs

To get to the right answer, let's analyze the features in the context of vertebrate evolution:

- **Amniotic eggs** (like those found in reptiles and mammals) evolved before **hair** (which is a mammalian characteristic).
- **Four limbs** are a primitive characteristic for vertebrates.
- **Eggs with shells** are found in reptiles and birds; they have had diverging evolution criteria compared to mammals who have live births or different egg strategies.

Based on this understanding, if W is the feature that features most prominently among all vertebrates (i.e., *four limbs*), then it should be the most ancestral trait. This eliminates options that put hair as an early trait.

With that in mind:

- **W (four limbs)** should not be placed after either of the more derived features (like hair or the shell eggs)
- Similarly, **Z (amnioitic eggs)** is also a primitive trait found in both reptiles and mammals.

Based on the evolutionary representation:

**The correct answer seems to be Option A: W (four limbs), X (amniotic eggs), Y (hair), Z (eggs with shells)**, as they correctly represent the evolutionary advances.

Thus, the final answer is **A**.