Question

If you were using cladistics to build a phylogenetic tree of cats,

which of the following would be the best outgroup?

(A) wolf

(B) domestic cat

(C) lion

(D) leopard

Short answer

(A)The option “wolf” is correct.

(B)The option “domestic cat” is incorrect.

(C)The option “lion” is incorrect.

(D)The option “leopard” is incorrect.

Step-by-step solution

Phylogenetic tree

The branching diagram that shows evolutionary characteristics (similarity and differences) between several biological species is called the phylogenetic tree. It shows the correlation between a group of living beings that share a familiar ancestor.

Explanation of option (A)

Wolf is an animal that consists of the scientific name Canis lupus and the family Canidae. The outgroup includes closely related species that do not belong to the same taxon. Wolf is not morphologically similar to cats, hence considered as an outgroup.

Thus, the wolf can be considered as the outgroup to build the polygenetic tree of cats.

Therefore, the given statement is correct.

Explanation of option (B)

Domestic cats are organisms that belong to carnivorous animals. They are morphologically related to cats and can be considered as ingroup, not an outgroup, in constructing the polygenetic tree of a given organism.

Thus, domestic cats cannot be considered as an outgroup to build the polygenetic tree of cats.

Therefore, the given statement is incorrect.

Explanation of option (C) 

Lions are organisms that belong to the kingdom Animalia and the family Felidae. They show similar characteristics to cats and leopards. Hence, they cannot be considered as an outgroup in the polygenetic tree.

Thus, lions cannot be considered as the outgroup to build the polygenetic tree of cats.

Therefore, the given statement is incorrect.

Explanation of option (D)

Leopards are animals that consist of the scientific name Panthera pardus. They show similar characteristics to cats, tigers, and cheetahs. So, in constructing a polygenetic tree of cats, they can be considered as an ingroup.

Thus, leopards cannot be considered as the outgroup to build the polygenetic tree of cats.

Therefore, the given statement is incorrect.