FACULTY OF APPLIED SCIENCES

KUALA LUMPUR CAMPUS

BABS1223 ECOLOGY AND BIODIVERSITY

COURSEWORK : PRACTICAL REPORT _1_

RBS 1 (Sem 1/ Group 1) MARKS:

CLASS:

PREPARED BY,

NAME STUDENT ID

1. Ng Wing Yet 23WLR07861

2. Lee Chung Kit 23WLR02236

3. Caitlin Chia Sook Yan 23WLR07852

4. Soma Watanabe 23WLR0293I

5. Evelyn Samantha Carlos 23WLR02624

Name of Lecturer: Ms. Selvi A/P Chellappan

Date of Submission: 23/7/2023

Practical: 1 Constructing a Phylogenetic Tree


Factor/Section Beginning/Incomplete/Poor
Introductio No much description, very
n& little background information
Objectives provided or information is
incorrect. (0 – 2)
(10%)
Methodology No description or very little
(10%) description of steps.
Incomplete and missing
several important
experimental details. (0 –
2)
Results (20%) Very little/ inappropriate
description. Minimal data
presented.
Figures/Graphs/Tables
contain errors or poorly
constructed. (0 – 5)
Discussion Poor explanation. Very
(30%) incomplete or incorrect
interpretation of results. (0 –
8)
Conclusion No conclusion or
(10%) missing the important
points (0-2)
Content & Not organized / poor
Style (10%) organization. Poor sentence
construction with many
grammatical errors. No
references. (0 – 2)
Hands-on (10%) Didn’t participation during
practical classes. No
teamwork during group
activities. Never
follow the instruction. (0 - 2)
RUBRIC FOR ASSESSING LAB REPORTS
Developing/Acceptable
Basic description of topic
but still missing some
major points such as
objectives. (3 – 5)
Missing some important
experimental details. List
all the steps in a
sequential but not n
order. (3 – 5)
Basic description with
simple observation with
sufficient data presented.
Adequate and logical
organized
graphs/table/ figures. (6 – 10)
Some of the results have
been correctly interpreted
and discussed. Insufficient
explanation or
understanding of results.
(9 – 15)
Stating very
general/simple
conclusion with lack of
understanding (3 – 5)
Some organization with
minor format error.
Improved sentences with
minor
grammatical error.
Inadequate references.
(3 – 5)
Participation is less
during practical. Less
teamwork during group
activities.
Follow instruction but
make mistakes. (3 – 5)
Accomplished/Good
Good description pf
the topic. Introduction
is nearly complete,
missing some minor
info. (6 – 8)
Important experimental
details are covered,
some minor missing
details. List all the steps
accordingly. (6 – 8)
Good description and
observation. Logical and
well adequate organized
graph/table/figures.
(11-15)
Almost all the results
have been correctly
interpreted and
discussed. Good use of
literature to explain the
results. Minor
improvement needed.
(16 – 22)
All important and
logical conclusion.
Missing minor points
(6 – 8)
Adequate organization
with good formatting but
could be improved. Very
minor
grammatical error.
Adequate references. (6
-8)
Participation is good.
Good teamwork
during group
activities but never pay
attention in following
instruction. (6 – 8)
Excellent/Exemplary Score
Comprehensive
description of the topic
and well written. Provides
all the necessary
background principles for
the experiment (9 - 10)
All experimental details
are covered. List all the
steps in a detailed,
sequential order
that are easily
followed. (9 – 10)
Excellent description
and tabulation of
results. Well drawn
graph/table/figures
with proper labelling.
(16 – 20)
Excellent interpretation of
results with use of
literature. All the
important data and trends
comparison have been
interpreted correctly and
discussed. (23 – 30)
Stating an excellent
conclusion that matches
all experimental
analysis.
Good understanding.
(9 -10)
Excellent organization
with very good
formatting. Well written
and good grammar.
Good references. ( 9
-10)
Good participation and
active. Good teamwork
with group. Follow
instruction. (9 – 10)
1.0 Objectives
The purpose of this lab report is to acquire the skill and knowledge to identify organisms.
Furthermore, learn how to compose a phylogenetic tree and to understand the classification of
different organisms.

2.0 Introduction
BD Editors (2020) define a phylogeny as a hypothetical connection between groups of creatures
that are being compared. A phylogeny can be represented by a phylogenetic tree. A phylogenetic
tree is a branching diagram that shows the evolutionary links between different animals or
groups of organisms (shown in Figure 1.0 below). It is also known as an evolutionary tree or a
tree of life. It demonstrates the evolutionary history and pattern of descent from a common
ancestor of taxonomic units or species (Sourav Bio, 2023).

Figure 2.1 Phylogenetic Tree

In this experiment, the phylogenetic tree used to visualise the phylogeny of the group of animals
is a Cladogram. A cladogram is a style of tree diagram that uses common features or
characteristics to show the evolutionary connections among a collection of animals (shown in
Figure 1.1 below) (Sourav Bio, 2023). The root is the centre stem of a cladogram that represents
the common ancestor of all groups spreading from it. A cladogram is made up of branching lines
that lead to a clade, which is a group of creatures that share a possible ancestor. The spots where
the lines intersect are known as nodes and are the common ancestors (Helmenstine,2020).

Cladograms are used by scientists to make hypotheses and pose queries on the evolutionary
relationships between various species. Scientists are able compare different phylogenies of the
same groupings of organisms by giving weight to derived traits and recognising ancestral
characteristics (BD Editors, 2017).
 Figure 2.2 Cladogram depicting the phylogeny of a group of vertebrates

3.0 Results

Table 3.1 Different characteristics between a leopard and a domestic cat

Social Weight Size Number of

behaviour teeth

Leopard Solitary The average The average size is 24-26 baby

weight is 50 around 210 cm in teeth and 32
to 90 kg. head-to-body length, permanent
with around 90 cm teeth
long tails.

Domestic cat Sociable The average The average size is 26 baby teeth
weight is 4 around 46 cm in and 30
to 5 kg. head-to-body length, permanent
with around 30 cm teeth
long tails.
 Table 3.2 Animals with backbone
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Lungs Ovipara Beak Tail Endothermic Carnivore Marsupials Horn

1 Panda 1 1 1

2 Kiwi 1 1 1 1

3 Cat 1 1 1 1

4 Bison 1 1 1 1

5 Sea 1 1 1
turtle

6 Dog 1 1 1 1

7 Lion 1 1 1 1

8 Frog 1 1 1

9 Duck 1 1 1 1 1 1

10 Fish 1 1 1

11 Snake 1 1 1 1

12 Koala 1 1 1 1

13 Zebra 1 1 1

14 Penguin 1 1 1 1 1 1

15 Walrus 1 1 1 1

16 Bull 1 1 1 1
 Table 3.3 Animals without backbone
9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17
Breathe Suction More than 4 3 segment Spin
Gills air Whisker cups Tentacles Shell legs body web
17 Spider 1 1 1 1
19 Cockroach 1 1 1
20 Moth 1
21 Jellyfish
22 Octopus 1 1 1
23 Shrimp 1 1
Hermit 1 1
24 crab 1
25 Sea star 1 1

4.0 Discussion
The selected animals are distinguished and identified firstly through the presence of backbone.
The animals are then differentiated by their breathing method and physical traits such as
presence of gills, whisker, shell and suction cups. Animals are classified based on morphological
and developmental characteristics and distinguished using ecological, behavioral and molecular
data.

5.0 Conclusion
The purpose of this lab report is to acquire the skill and knowledge to identify organisms.
Furthermore, learn how to compose a phylogenetic tree and to understand the classification of
different organisms. The method of distinguishing animals by their physical traits and habitat
was applied for making a phylogenetic tree, which displays evolutionary relationships among
them. Although some common features are not obvious, our knowledge and skills to identify
animals were enhanced through this practical section.

4.0 Discussion
Based
 Figure 3.3 Phylogenetic tree

4.0 Discussion

One of the specific characteristics that can be used to separate a leopard and a domestic
cat is social behaviour. A Leopard is solitary whereas a domestic cat is rather sociable. Besides,
they can also be differentiated through their weight. For example, leopards weigh 50 to 90 kg
averagely while the average weight of domestic cats is 4 to 5 kg. In addition, leopards have a
much larger size compared to domestic cats. Specifically, the average size of leopards is around
210 cm long from head to body with around 90 cm long tails and the average size of domestic
cats is around 46 cm in head-to-body length with around 30 cm long tails. Lastly, leopards differ
from domestic cats in the number of teeth. In particular, leopards have 24 to 26 baby teeth and 32
permanent teeth whereas domestic cats have 26 baby teeth and 30 permanent teeth.

There are several ways to distinguish and identify selected animals. Firstly, the selected
animals are distinguished and identified based on morphology. For example, kiwi, duck and
penguin have beaks. Bison and bulls have horns. Moreover, hermit crabs have shells. Octopus
and sea star have suction cups. Secondly, they are also distinguished and identified by anatomy.
Such as, all selected animals with backbone have lungs except fish. Thirdly, they can be
distinguished and identified based on their behaviour. For example, spiders can spin webs. All
selected animals with backbone are endothermic animals, except sea turtle, frog, fish and snake.
For animals without backbone, only spiders and cockroaches can breathe air. Finally, selected
animals can be distinguished and identified by their modes of reproduction. For instance, kiwi,
sea turtle, frog, duck, fish, snake and penguin are oviparous animals.

Animals are divided into categories based on shared features and evolutionary links.
Taxonomy is the study of the classification of organisms. There are several main factors that
used to classify animals. Firstly, the classification of animals is based on morphology. Body
shape, size, bone structure, and the presence or absence of certain features, such as wings, fins
and limbs are all important considerations in animal taxonomy. Physical characteristics can assist
in discovering similarities and differences between species. Secondly, the other factor is
anatomy. Internal features and organ systems are important factors in animal taxonomy. The
arrangement and complexity of organs, skeletal features, and other anatomical details aid
biologists in classifying animals. Thirdly, one of the factors is embryonic similarities. The study
of embryonic development sheds light on the evolutionary links between animals. Early
developmental similarities and variances can aid in determining evolutionary links. Moreover,
classification of animals can also be based on the genetic similarities (DNA). Animal
classification has been transformed by molecular data such as DNA sequences and genetic
research. Genetic similarities and differences can indicate evolutionary links and provide more
precise insights into species relatedness. Furthermore, animals can be classified by their
evolutionary relationship, which includes fossils. Extinct creatures and their links to extant
organisms are revealed by fossil evidence. Palaeontologists utilise fossils to piece together the
evolutionary history of different animal groups. Lastly, one of the factors is about the
biochemical similarities. To identify ancestry, scientists examine nucleotide sequences in DNA
and proteins in various animals. If the species are closely related, they will have comparable
nucleotide sequences in their DNA and amino acid arrangements in proteins (Oswald Richards,
n.d). The more similar the amino acid sequence, the more closely related the organisms are.

5.0 References

Biologydictionary.net Editors. (2020, June 11). Phylogeny. Biology dictionary. Retrieved from
https://biologydictionary.net/phylogeny/

Biologydictionary.net Editors. (2017, January 13). Cladogram. Biology dictionary. Retrieved

from https://biologydictionary.net/cladogram/

Sourav Bio. (2023, May 22). Difference between cladogram and phylogenetic tree.
Microbiology.note. Retrieved from
https://microbiologynote.com/difference-between-cladogram-and-phylogenetic-tree/

Anne Marie Helmestine. (2020, January 10). What Is a Cladogram? Definition and Examples.
ThoughtCo. Retrieved from
https://www.thoughtco.com/cladogram-definition-and-examples-4778452#:~:text=A%20cladogr
am%20is%20a%20type,groups%20branching%20off%20from%20it.

Oswald, R.(n.d). Evidence of Evolution. SlidePlayer. Retrieved from

https://slideplayer.com/slide/7784393/

Leopard | Description, Habitat, & Facts | Britannica (2023, Jun 20). Retrieved from
https://www.britannica.com/animal/leopard

Cat - Wikipedia (2023, July 14). Retrieved from

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cat#:~:text=It%20averages%20about%2046%20cm,(9%20and%20
11%20lb)

Clouded Leopard Teeth: Everything You Need To Know - AZ Animals (a-z-animals.com) (2022,
Jan 10). Retrieved from
https://a-z-animals.com/blog/clouded-leopard-teeth-everything-you-need-to-know/
Interesting Facts About Cat Teeth | PetMD (2019, 2 Dec). Retrieved from
https://www.petmd.com/cat/care/9-interesting-facts-about-cat-teeth