Question

The sketch shows a rynchosaur, an extinct animal that is known only from fossils. There has been much debate about the classification of these creatures. Some scientists suggest that they belong with primitive amphibians, and some think they are related to snakes and lizards. The data equally support both cases.

A rynchosaur is shown.

Which statement best explains how to draw a cladogram that includes the rynchosaur?
Draw the cladogram for amphibians.
Draw the cladogram for reptiles.
Draw two cladograms, both showing the traits, and leave it as a hypothesis.
Draw two cladograms, both showing the traits, and have scientists vote.

Answer 1

Draw two cladograms, both showing the traits, and leave it as a hypothesis.

Explanation: a cladogram is a hypothesis about relationships based on available characters. If the data equally support two placements, you should present both alternative cladograms (with the character evidence shown) and treat them as competing hypotheses until new evidence resolves the uncertainty. Voting is not a scientific method for resolving phylogeny.