Which animals have the closest evolutionary relationship, as shown by the cladogram? (1 point)

Responses

humans and trout
humans and trout

humans and lizards
humans and lizards

humans and wallabies
humans and wallabies

humans and lampreys

1 answer

To determine which animals have the closest evolutionary relationship based on a cladogram, we typically look at which species share a more recent common ancestor. Among the options provided:

  • Humans and trout: Humans (mammals) and trout (fish) diverged quite a while ago, so their relationship is relatively distanced.
  • Humans and lizards: Humans (mammals) and lizards (reptiles) also share a more distant common ancestor, but it's closer than the relationship with fish.
  • Humans and wallabies: Humans (primates) and wallabies (marsupials) are both mammals, and their common ancestor is relatively recent in evolutionary terms.
  • Humans and lampreys: Humans and lampreys (jawless fish) are quite distantly related, with a long evolutionary line separating them.

Based on this analysis, the closest evolutionary relationship is between humans and wallabies.