Evolutionary Tree
An evolutionary tree, also known as a phylogenetic tree, is a diagram that represents the evolutionary relationships among various species or groups. It illustrates how different organisms are related through common ancestors, showing the branching patterns of evolution over time. Each branch point, or node, indicates a common ancestor shared by the species that diverge from that point.
These trees are constructed using data from various fields, including genetics, morphology, and fossil records. By analyzing similarities and differences among organisms, scientists can infer the evolutionary history and lineage of species, helping to understand the process of evolution and the diversity of life on Earth.