University:
Binghamton University
Course:
BIOL 371 | Zoology
Academic year:

2020
Views:

407

Pages:

2
Author:

Leilani Contreras

Name: Date: Investigation: Is a dog more closely related to a coyote or a wolf? Gray Wolf Species Name: Canis lupus Color: Light gray to black Size: 80-120 pounds, 2.5 feet tall Appearance: broad snout, round ears, long tail Coyote Species Name: Canis latrans Color: Light gray to brown Size: 20-50 pounds, 1.5 feet tall Appearance: narrow snout, pointed ears, long tail✭ Dog, Alaskan Malamute Species Name: Canis✭ lupus familiaris Color: Gray and white or brown and white Size: 70-80 pounds, 2 feet tall Appearance: broad snout, round ears, long tail ✭ 1. Examine the images and descriptions above. Underline any similarities between the dog and the wolf. Place a star ✭ next to any coyote traits that are similar to the dog. 2. Based on appearance alone, which do you think is the most closely related to a dog? Based on the appearance of the dog I think the wolf is more closely related to the dog. I think this is because of the body shape of the dog. While the dog and the wolf have a longer spine the fox has a shorter spine Part 2: Phylogenetic Trees Once scientists learned how to sequence DNA, that became a great resource for determining relationships. A phylogenetic tree shown below is based on DNA evidence and similarities in appearance. 3. Branch points are called “nodes” and they indicate a more recent common ancestor from which each branch species has descended. - Place a box - Place a triangle to indicate the node or common ancestor of all the fox species. to indicate the node or common ancestor of all the Canis species. 4. Which two members of the Canis group have the most recent common ancestor? Gray wolf and dog 5. A species name has two words, a system called BINOMIAL NOMENCLATURE. The first word of a species name refers to its GENUS. For example, wolves, coyotes and dogs all belong to the genus “CANIS.” What is the genus for the foxes? Vulpes 6. In some cases, a third name is given to the animal to indicate a SUBSPECIES. What animal on the chart is a subspecies? Dog What is this animal’s full scientific name? Canis lupus familiaris 7. Final Synthesis: Is a dog more closely related to a coyote or a wolf? Wolf Provide EVIDENCE from the phylogenetic tree to support your position. The wolf and the dog have the same species name “Canis lupus” This means that according to binomial nomenclature the same Genuis. The dog also has a lot of the same characteristics as the wolf. They have a similar weight, similar height and both of them have a similar colour of fur. 8. Extension: Is a red wolf or a domestic dog more closely related to a common fox? Use the phylogenetic tree to explain your answer. The red fox is connected to the common fox rather than the dog. This is due to the fact that the dog and the common fox share 5 nodes, but the common fox and the red wolf share 4 nodes.