What a great post! Purely data that is sure to spark a debate on taxonomy. Also, it is just fun to know what we are.
It also shows very nicely how evolutionary theory is testable. The taxonomic tree was created based on morphology well before DNA was discovered. Evolution would predict that creatures grouped on one branch would share more genes with each other than they would with creatures on a different branch. And this is what we see. Also, we would expect to see progressively fewer common genes as we ascend the tree from Species to superkingdom. And we see this, too. Predicition made, prediction validated. Granted, not a 100% proof of evolution, but very substantial evidence. Enough for me, anyway.
Eukaryote Animalia Chordata (Vertebrate) Mammalia (Placental) Hominid (or are we classified as Pongids now?) Homo Sapiens Sapiens Ian C.
Ian C.
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