In this lab we will explore how to build trees, how to interpret them, and how we can use them to study some evolutionary problems. The lab is a mix of "games", quizzes, and demonstrations. You don't need any special software, just a web browser.
To "warm up" we will use the "Build-a-Tree" game to make some trees. The game gives you feedback on whether you have got the correct tree, and also shows you where different characters evolved on the tree.
A quiz on making trees.
A quiz on character reconstruction.
Ok, so let's test whether you are now a fully-fledged "tree thinker". Take the "Tree thinking 1" test to find out (your instructor will give you the Menti code you need to take the test).
For a change of pace, let's explore the tree of life using OneZoom. Some things to do
When we put DNA-based phylogenies onto a map we can sometimes see patterns. For example, a species may show clear geographic structure (for example, sequences from the same region may all cluster together), or we may see no evidence for geographic structure (for example if a population is panmictic and individuals are not restricted to just their local areas).
Is there any connection between this past movement of continents and the evolutionary relationships of the species that live on those continents?
If you have become infatuated with phylogenies, you can take the ultimate challenge: "Tree thinking 2" (your instructor will give you the Menti code you need to take the test).