Lessons

Activity 2: Cladogram

Print or draw the cladogram below.  Write the following taxa on the blue lines that correctly depicts the evolutionary relationships among these primates:

Humans          Monkeys          Australopithecus          Apes

Now read the following clues.  Identify when each of the derived traits listed in the box below evolved by writing it next to its corresponding arrow.  When you are finished, answer the questions.

  • Clue 1: All living apes lack tails.
  • Clue 2: The large human brainsize is unique.

a. What primates are characterized by bipedalism?

b. Did bipedal locomotion or bigger brain size evolve first?