Claim: The Hoplophoneus skull looks more like the

skull.

Evidence: According to my answers to Question 2, they both have
,
, and
.

Reasoning: Because these two skulls are the most similar, they look more alike.

Question 4
This is a cladogram. It is a tool scientists use to show how different species are related. In this cladogram, the Hoplophoneus is placed as a common ancestor to both saber-toothed cats and modern cats, including mountain lions.

1 answer

From your claim and reasoning, it seems you are discussing a comparison of the Hoplophoneus skull with another skull, though the specific details about the other skull are missing. To better support your claim, it would be helpful to fill in the blanks regarding what specific features or characteristics the two skulls share.

Here's a revised structure based on the information you provided:

Claim: The Hoplophoneus skull looks more like [insert the name of the other skull].

Evidence: According to my answers to Question 2, they both have [insert specific characteristics or features—e.g., similar jaw shapes, tooth formations, cranial structures, etc.].

Reasoning: Because these two skulls are the most similar, they look more alike.

Furthermore, based on the information provided about the cladogram:

The cladogram indicates that the Hoplophoneus is a common ancestor to both saber-toothed cats and modern cats, including mountain lions. This suggests that certain anatomical features may have been inherited, which could explain why the Hoplophoneus skull shares similarities with the skull of [insert the name of the other species].

To improve your answer, you might want to include those specific features observed in both skulls, clearly identify which skull you are comparing against the Hoplophoneus, and possibly elaborate on how the common ancestry illustrated in the cladogram supports your claim.