A phylogenetic tree of bird families constructed by cladistic analysis would be a hypothesis about which of the following?

• A. Characteristics shared by all bird families
• B. Families that look most alike
• C. Analogous structures shared by various species
• D. Relative ages of living species of birds
• E. Evolutionary relationships among bird families

Answer: (E)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that a phylogenetic tree is a diagram that represents evolutionary relationships among organisms. It is constructed based on shared characteristics derived from a common ancestor.
2. Recognize that cladistic analysis is a method used to construct phylogenetic trees by grouping organisms based on shared derived characteristics, known as synapomorphies.
3. Identify that the primary purpose of a phylogenetic tree is to hypothesize the evolutionary relationships among different groups, in this case, bird families.
4. Consider that the tree does not focus on characteristics shared by all bird families, nor does it emphasize families that look most alike or analogous structures, which are traits that evolved independently.
5. Conclude that the phylogenetic tree constructed by cladistic analysis is a hypothesis about the evolutionary relationships among bird families, showing how they are related through common ancestry.