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Guilherme Mazui

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What is the Difference Between Cladogram and Phylogenetic Tree?

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Cladograms and phylogenetic trees are both branching diagrams that represent relationships between groups or ranks of organisms. However, they differ in the information they convey:

  • Cladograms illustrate hypothetical relationships between species based on traits. They do not indicate time or the amount of difference between groups. Cladograms are based on physical traits, genetic data such as DNA sequencing, or other characteristics. They are used to present a hypothesis about the evolutionary relationships between species.
  • Phylogenetic trees often indicate time spans between branching points. They may represent the actual evolutionary history of a group, with branch lengths representing the amount of character change. Phylogenetic trees can also show the magnitude of evolutionary change, with longer branches representing more evolutionary changes than shorter ones.

In summary, the main difference between cladograms and phylogenetic trees is that cladograms focus on the relationships between species without indicating time or differences, while phylogenetic trees often include information about time and the amount of change between groups.

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  • What is the Difference Between Cladogram and Phylogenetic Tree?
  • Comparative Table: Cladogram vs Phylogenetic Tree

    • Comparative Table: Cladogram vs Phylogenetic Tree

    Here is a table that highlights the differences between cladograms and phylogenetic trees:

    Feature Cladogram Phylogenetic Tree
    Definition Cladogram is a diagram that illustrates hypothetical relationships between species based on shared traits. Phylogenetic tree is a diagram that represents the actual evolutionary relationships between species, based on genetic relationships.
    Time Indication Cladograms do not indicate time or the amount of difference between groups. Phylogenetic trees often indicate time spans between branching points.
    Branch Lengths The branches in a cladogram have equal lengths and do not represent the amount of character change. The branches in a phylogenetic tree indicate the actual evolutionary distance and genetic differences between species.
    Taxa The tips of the branches in a cladogram represent taxa, which are groups of organisms. The tips of the branches in a phylogenetic tree represent taxa, which are groups of organisms.
    Acceptance Although some scientists use the terms cladogram and phylogenetic tree interchangeably, some use different terms to emphasize the nature of the diagram. For example, they might use "cladogram" for hypotheses and "phylogeny" for true evolutionary history.

    In summary, cladograms and phylogenetic trees are both branching diagrams that represent relationships between groups or ranks of organisms. However, cladograms do not indicate time or the amount of difference between groups, while phylogenetic trees often do.

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    Guilherme Mazui

    Guilherme Mazui is graduated in journalism from the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG) and a master's degree in Communication from the University of São Paulo (USP). In addition, he has experience in advertising writing and has worked as a content editor in several companies.