Phylogenetic trees are tree-like graphic representation that show the evolutive relationship between different taxa.
<h3>What is a phylogenetic tree?</h3>
A phylogenetic tree is a graphic representation of the evolutive relationship between different taxa.
This representation has a tree-like shape.
The phylogenetic tree expresses how far or close are in evolutive history the different groups.
<h3>Structure of the phylogenetic tree</h3>
The phylogenetic tree is composed of,
- Lineages → The taxonomic groups of interest. These are placed in the extremes of the branches.
- Nodes → These are the ramification points, which are also known as divergence points. They represent the location of the most recent common ancestor.
- Root → This is the oldest common ancestor that all lineages share. The first one in the tree.
⇒ Highly related groups that share a recent common ancestor. This means that they all diverge from the same node.
⇒ Lineages less related to each other are those whose common ancestor is far away in history.
In a phylogenetic tree, the most distant group receives the name of outgroup.
It shares no traits or characters with the lineages of interest that compose the ingroup.
You can compare the outgroup with the ingroup to determine the evolutive relationship and which characters are primitive or derived.
Since I do not have further information, I will describe each of the trees.
A) Capibara and camel share a more recent common ancestor in history than they do with guinea pig. Capibara y camel are more closely related.
B) Guinea pig and Capibara share a more recent common ancestor in history than they do with camel. Capibara y guinea pig are more closely related.
C) The three lineages have the same common ancestor and are equally related to each other.
D) Guinea pig and Camel share a more recent common ancestor in history than they do with capibara. Camel y guinea pig are more closely related.
According to your information, you can determine which tree is the best.
You can learn more about phylogenetic trees at
