Question

The bear family (Ursidae) is more closely related to the badger/otter family (Mustelidae) than to the dog family (Canidae). Use this information to redraw Figure 26.4.

Short answer

This tree depicts the relationships between the five taxa, or groups of species, at the tips of the branches. Each branch point represents the common ancestor of the evolutionary lineages diverging from it.

Step-by-step solution

Evolution process

Evolution is the study of various forms of life, their traits, and how they change over time. It is a scientific theory used by biologists to examine population genetic diversity.

It is suggested that individuals in a mixed population could adapt better, survive longer, and contribute to population growth. However, none of the variations was eradicated.

Phylogenetic tree 

A phylogenetic tree is the study of evolutionary links between groupings of creatures (known as taxa) to understand better how life has evolved across time.

A phylogenetic tree was invented by Willi Hennig, a German toxicologist who developed a method of displaying evolutionary relationships by categorizing taxa based on shared physical features in the 1950s.

Advantages of the phylogenetic tree

A phylogenetic tree is a branching diagram that depicts the evolutionary history of a carnivore family. It describes that the bear family (Ursidae) is linked to the Mustelidae family.

The branching pattern frequently corresponds to how taxonomists have classified groupings of species nested within more inclusive groups.

Any branch's ending end is referred to as a node (a line). Internal nodes signify a common ancestor undergoing speciation, while exterior nodes indicate the final lineages. Speciation events result in different taxon lineages, which are depicted by horizontal branches.