Mason drew the cladogram shown.

Question

Which statements best describe the cladogram? Select three options.

Reptiles are the most primitive.
Birds and reptiles are most closely related.
Frogs are more closely related to fish than birds.
Frogs are more closely related to birds than fish.
Fish are the most primitive.

Answer 1

To analyze the cladogram and determine the correct statements, let's consider the typical interpretations of cladograms:

1. Reptiles are the most primitive. - This statement may not be accurate unless the cladogram specifically places reptiles as the earliest branch. Generally, fish are considered more primitive.

2. Birds and reptiles are most closely related. - This is typically true since birds evolved from theropod dinosaurs, which are classified within the reptiles.

3. Frogs are more closely related to fish than birds. - Generally, this is false in a typical cladogram since amphibians (like frogs) and reptiles (which include birds) share a more recent common ancestor than with fish.

4. Frogs are more closely related to birds than fish. - This statement is usually true since frogs (amphibians) and birds (reptiles) share a more recent common ancestor.

5. Fish are the most primitive. - This statement is typically true as fish are usually the earliest to diverge in cladograms representing vertebrate evolution.

Therefore, the three best statements that could describe the cladogram are:

1. Birds and reptiles are most closely related.
2. Frogs are more closely related to birds than fish.
3. Fish are the most primitive.

So the selected options would be the second, fourth, and fifth statements.