Are all organisms on a phylogenetic tree equally evolved Ple

Solution

All organisms on a phylogenetic tree are not equally evolved. On a phylogenetic tree, different species have differentially evolved to suit the need of their habitats. A phylogenetic tree starts off with a known or unknown common ancestor. As evolution progresses, the descendant species diverge due to geographical, temporal (different heat season), or physical reasons to form new species. This divergence in a geographical region is called the adaptive radiation. The adaptive radiation leads to the evolution of homologous organs that perform the functions different from each other. At times more than one adaptive radiation in a defined geographical region leads to the convergent evolution of analogous organs that perform same functions despite different origin. All the above-mentioned changes take place to suit the habitat they live in. Thus, all the organisms on a phylogenetic tree are not equally evolved but evolved enough to survive the needs of the particular habitat, they dwell in.