Using the Taxonomy database ANSWERS: Difference between revisions

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=Answers to the [[Taxonomy databases|Taxonomy exercise]]=
=Answers to the [[Using_the_Taxonomy_database|Using the Taxonomy database exercise]]=


Answers by: Rasmus Wernersson  
Answers by: Rasmus Wernersson, Aug 2026
   
   
==Question 1:==
=== a)===
Quite a lot extinct groups are encountered along the way - this is marked by a
small cross-shaped icon next to the group. Many of these groups do not have a
page dedicated to them but are there for putting the taxonomical placement of
modern groups into context.
A good example of an "important" extinct group which has a dedicated page is
"[http://www.tolweb.org/Ichthyostega/15015 Ichthyostega]", which was
one of the very first terrestrial vertebrates and had a lot of both "fish"
and "reptile" characteristics.
=== b) ===
7 species:
* ''Felis bieti'' (Chinese mountain cat)
* ''Felis catus'' (domestic cat)
* ''Felis chaus'' (jungle cat)
* ''Felis manul'' (Pallas' cat)
* ''Felis margarita'' (sand cat)
* ''Felis nigripes'' (black-footed cat)
* ''Felis silvestris'' (wildcat)
== Question 2:==
=== a) ===
Sus — this make perfect sense, since this is the "Genus" level and the Latin
name always consists of Genus + species: ''Sus scrofa''.
=== b)===
When we reach Artiodactyla (Danish: "Parrettåede hovdyr") other animals such as
camels, cows and hippos are included.
=== c)===
Artiodactyla (including the pigs) is the sister group to the Whales. The
interesting finding here is that the Whales branches off in the middle of the
mammalian tree — it's NOT an ancient branch after which the rest of the
mammals evolved. The whale group is only about 55 million years "old".
A lot of further information on the whale page:
http://tolweb.org/Cetacea/15977
==Question 3:==
=== a)===
Of the three main dinosaur groups Theropoda is NOT marked as extinct.
=== b)===
No - since extant ("still living") sub-groups exists.
=== c)===
Yes — all birds are descendants from the theropod dinosaurs and are therefore
dinosaurs in the taxonomical sense of the word.
Notice: The modern birds are a well defined taxonomical group (sharing a
single common ancestor) which can easily be separated from the rest of the
Dinosauria. The issue here is that it makes no sense to speak of Dinosauria
without including the birds - and the same way it wouldn't make sense to speak
of the mammals without including the pigs.
== Question 4:==
== Question 4:==
Taxonomy ID: 33208
Taxonomy ID: 33208

Revision as of 11:18, 28 August 2026

Answers to the Using the Taxonomy database exercise

Answers by: Rasmus Wernersson, Aug 2026

Question 4:

Taxonomy ID: 33208

Question 5:

Hominidae

Question 6:

For both the Abbreviated and Full list:

Euarchontoglires (rank: superorder) is the last common group before human and mouse branch off into primates and rodents.

Question 7:

For both the Abbreviated and Full list:

Metazoa — "animals" (kingdom).

Question 8:

a)

The sister group to the Zebrafish is the cod.

The sister group to the lungfish is the Coelacanth (famous "Blue fish").

b)

Now, the sister group to the lungfish is you!

c)

you

d)

you

e)

you

f)

No! See https://www.sciencealert.com/actually-there-is-no-such-thing-as-a-fish-say-cladists

Question 9:

a)

Yes, there is a difference.

b)

Yes, the trees can be made identical by swapping the Coelacanth and the lungfish.