What is an apomorphy in biology?
Q: What is an apomorphy in biology?
A: An apomorphy in biology is a derived state or innovation.
Q: What is an example of apomorphy in mammals?
A: Mammals share the apomorphy of babies digesting their mothers' milk, which is unique to mammals.
Q: What is the basis of taxonomy?
A: The apomorphies which are found in every species of animals are the basis of taxonomy.
Q: What is the most likely reason for a group of animals with a unique apomorphy?
A: If a group of animals all share a unique apomorphy, the most likely reason is that they descended from a common ancestor.
Q: What is the importance of synapomorphies in identifying clades?
A: Synapomorphies are a group of apomorphies that all members of a clade have, but other groups do not. They are important in identifying clades.
Q: What is an example of synapomorphy within vertebrates?
A: The five digits (fingers and toes) like ours is a synapomorphy within the vertebrates.
Q: Why are snakes and other tetrapods without digits considered tetrapods?
A: Snakes and other tetrapods without digits are still considered tetrapods because other characters, such as amniotic eggs and diapsid skulls, show they descended from ancestors that had digits.
