Based on what you now know about dolphins, cows, and sharks from the previous two slides, which of the phylogenetic trees below best explains their evolutionary relationship?
A) Shark, Cow, Dolphin
B) Cow, Dolphin, Shark
C) Dolphin, Cow, Shark
D) Shark, Dolphin, Cow
Based on what you now know about dolphins, cows, and sharks from the previous two slides, which of the phylogenetic trees below best explains their evolutionary relationship?
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The correct answer is D) Shark, Dolphin, Cow.
Here’s a brief explanation: Sharks are part of a group known as cartilaginous fish, while dolphins and cows are both mammals. However, dolphins are more closely related to cows than to sharks, as they share a common ancestor with cows within the mammalian lineage. Therefore, the best representation of their evolutionary relationship is that sharks diverged first, followed by the common ancestor of dolphins and cows.