Character Matrix for Constructing a Cladogram

Student Version
Fill in the table below, indicating a “0” if the trait is absent in the group and a “1” if the trait
is present.

Bony Four Amniotic

Vertabrae skeleton limbs egg Feathers

Human

Bird

Salamander

Fish

Shark

Total shared
traits

1
Answer Key for Teachers

Bony Four Amniotic

Vertabrae skeleton limbs egg Feathers

Human 1 1 1 1 0

Bird 1 1 1 1 1

Salamander 1 1 1 0 0

Fish 1 1 0 0 0

Shark 1 0 0 0 0
Total shared
traits 5 4 3 2 1

Sample Cladograms
Shark

Vertabrae Fish

Bony skeleton Salamander

Four limbs Bird

Amniotic egg Human

Salamander Human
Fish
Shark

Bird

Amniotic
Four egg
Bony limbs
Vertabrae skeleton

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