How To Read A Phylogenetic Tree | Introduction + 5 Exercises!

Do you struggle to read and understand Phylogenetic trees? You are not alone! This video will break down how to read a phylogenetic tree, the differences between tips branches and nodes, what are phylogenies, how to find the most recent common ancestor, how to find all the descendants from an ancestor, sister groups, monophyletic, polyphyletic, and para phyletic groups, why birds are considered reptiles, what are clades, and some common mistakes when interpretation phylogenetic trees.

00:00 - Introduction
01:00 - What are phylogenies?
03:38 - Most Recent Common Ancestors
07:01 - Finding Descendants from a Node
08:03 - What are Sister Groups
10:08 - Monophyletic, Paraphyletic, and Polyphyletic groupings
10:38 - Monophyletic Groups Explained
11:40 - Paraphyletic Groups Explained
13:28 - Polyphyletic Groups Explained
14:26 - Example: Are Birds Reptiles?
15:00 - What are Clades?
16:40 - Okay but why are birds reptiles?
19:17 - Common Mistake: Phylogenies can rotate
26:11 - Common Mistake: Organisms at the end are not more advanced
30:55 - Exercise 1: Mono-, Para- ,and Polyphyletic Groups
34:20 - Exercise 2: Understanding Rotations on Phylogenies
39:27 - Exercise 3: Number of Tips, Nodes, and Branches
42:53 - Exercise 4: Most Recent Common Ancestor
45:22 - Exercise 5: How many monophyletic groups?