- The diagram is a phylogenetic tree showing evolutionary relationships.
- Humans and chimpanzees are shown as the most closely related, sharing the most recent common ancestor.
- Hedgehogs branch off next, indicating they are more distantly related to humans and chimpanzees than those two are to each other.
- Pigs are more closely related to hedgehogs than to cows or whales, but less so than hedgehogs are to humans/chimpanzees.
- Cows and whales are shown as sister groups, meaning they share a more recent common ancestor with each other than with pigs or hedgehogs.
- Elephants and aardvarks are the most distantly related to the other groups shown, sharing an even earlier common ancestor with the rest.
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of phylogeny worksheet.
