© 1999 ENSI (Evolution
& the Nature of Science Institutes) www.indiana.edu/~ensiweb
This material may be copied only for noncommercial classroom
teaching purposes, and only if this source is clearly cited. |
CLASSROOM CLADOGRAM OF
VERTEBRATE/HUMAN EVOLUTION
KEY: TEAM ASSIGNMENTS & ASSOCIATED
TRAITS
One animal group assigned per team.
NAME OF GROUP 1
Cephalochordates:
Extinct:
Pikaia sp.?
Today:
Amphioxus: Branchiostoma sp. |
FIRST APPEARED:
530 mya |
GROUP TRAITS ("BLUE")
head end, tail
notochord
myotomes (muscle bundles)
dorsal nerve cord
gill basket, with "gill slits" |
NAME OF GROUP 2
Agnatha (jawless fishes)
Extinct:
Heterostracans (e.g. Pteraspis)
Today: typical Cyclostomes:
lampreys and hagfishes |
FIRST APPEARED:
500 mya |
GROUP TRAITS ("YELLOW")
dermal (skin) bones
skull
paired lateral eyes
pineal ("third") eye
lung |
NAME OF GROUP 3
Gnathostomes (jawed fishes)
Extinct:
Acanthodians: Climatius
Paleoniscoids: Cheirolepis
Today (typical):
salmon, perch, trout, goldfish, etc. |
FIRST APPEARED:
430 mya |
GROUP TRAITS ("GREEN")
jaws
teeth
internal skeleton
gill arches
paired appendages |
NAME OF GROUP 4
Crossopterygians (lobe-finned fishes)
Extinct:
Osteolepis
Eusthenopteron
Today: Coelacanth (Latimeria) |
FIRST APPEARED:
400 mya |
GROUP TRAITS ("ORANGE")
paired front and hind limbs with
internal bones |
NAME OF GROUP 5
Amphibians
Extinct:
Acanthostega
Ichthyostega
Anthracosaurs (e.g. Seymouria)
Today (typical): salamanders, frogs |
FIRST APPEARED:
360 mya |
GROUP TRAITS ("PURPLE")
walking legs
shoulder and pelvic girdles
five fingers and toes
neck |
NAME OF GROUP 6
Reptiles
Extinct (cotylosaurs):
Hylonomus
Paleothyris
Today (typical):
lizards, crocodiles, tortoises, birds |
FIRST APPEARED:
300 mya |
GROUP TRAITS ("RED")
tooth differentiation
embryonic membranes (amnion, etc.) |
NAME OF GROUP 7
Mammal-like Reptiles (Synapsids)
Extinct:
Therapsids (e.g. Cynognathus)
Pelycosaurs (e.g. Dimetrodon) |
FIRST APPEARED:
250 mya |
GROUP TRAITS ("BROWN")
incisor-canine-cheek teeth sequence
legs under body
body temperature regulation |
NAME OF GROUP 8
Mammals:
Extinct:
Sinoconodon
Kuehneotherium
Today (typical):
cats, dogs, bears, cows, horses, etc. |
FIRST APPEARED:
200 mya |
GROUP TRAITS ("BLACK")
complete bony palate
cheek teeth crowned
teeth replaced only once
molars double-rooted
three ear bones
lumbar region rib-frree
double occipital condyle |
NAME OF GROUP 9
Primates:
Extinct:
Plesiadapids (e.g. Palaechthon)
Cantius
Today: typical Prosimians:
tree shrews, lemurs |
FIRST APPEARED:
65 mya |
GROUP TRAITS ("WHITE")
grasping hands
collar bone
closed eye socket
nails (fingers and toes)
eyes in front
muzzle reduction |
NAME OF GROUP 10
Hominoids ("Pre-Apes"):
Extinct:
Aegyptopithecus
Proconsul
Today: Apes:
chimpanzees, gorillas, orangutans |
FIRST APPEARED:
30 mya |
GROUP TRAITS ("TAN")
2123 dental formula (upper and lower)
no tail |
NAME OF GROUP 11
Hominins (formerly "Hominids")
Extinct:
Australopithecus spp.
Homo habilis, H. erectus, et al
Today: Home sapiens |
FIRST APPEARED:
4 mya |
GROUP TRAITS ("OLIVE")
small canine teeth
long arms
simple tool making, butchering
precision grip
bipedal (erect posture)
foramen magnum more forward |
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