Why is it so difficult to determine the phylogenetic relationships of turtles to other sauropsids?

What will be an ideal response?


Most of the derived anatomical characters of turtles are autapomorphies—that is, derived characters that are unique to the turtle lineage rather than shared with other lineages. But phylogenies are built on synapomorphies (shared derived characters), and turtles offer very few of those. It remains to be seen whether molecular characters will be more helpful than anatomical characters have been in determining the phylogenetic relationships of turtles.

Anatomy & Physiology

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The ____ and ____ enable the kidneys to produce urine of varying concentrations and volumes depending on the body's needs

a. Na+-K+ ATPase pump; co-transport carriers b. juxtaglomerular apparatus; vasa recta c. podocytes; peritubular capillaries d. medullary vertical osmotic gradient; vasopressin e. renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system; renal pyramids

Anatomy & Physiology

A fracture that affects the malleolus on both lower leg bones is called a ________ fracture

A) carpal B) Pott's C) Colles D) complex E) double-split

Anatomy & Physiology

Fingerlike extensions of the arachnoid mater that penetrate the dura mater are called ________.

Fill in the blank(s) with the appropriate word(s).

Anatomy & Physiology

Which of the following lists describes three of the main functions served by proteins?

A. Cushioning of organs, thermal insulation, and establishing cell boundaries B. Energy storage, body defenses, thermal insulation C. Catalysis of chemical reactions, body defenses, and movement D. Waterproofing, energy storage, and transmission of the genetic code 

Anatomy & Physiology