Evolutionary relationships among 26 species of Carnivora
based on 2,973 bp of mtDNA ND5 & Cytb genes

    The phylogenetic tree above is based on a Neighbor-Joining Analysis in MEGA of 2,973 bp of the mtDNA ND5 (1,833 bp) and Cytb (1,140bp) genes. Numbers in BOLD below each node indicate the percent bootstrap support from 3,000 bootstrap replications. Bootstrap values < 50% are not shown.

    The network has been rooted to separate the dog-like Caniformia species (above) from the cat-like Feliformia species (below). Species arrangements within each suborder are unmodified from the MEGA output.

QUESTIONS: The tree allows molecular inferences about relationships among Carnivore families.

    1. According to the tree, are the following families as recognized by conventional morphology-based taxonomy Monophyletic OR Paraphyletic (= Polyphyletic)? State your reasoning as supported by the tree.
        a. Felidae
        b. Mustelidae
        c. Hyaenidae
        d. Viverridae

    2. Is the Giant Panda more closely related to bears or to the Lesser Panda? State your reasoning as supported by the tree. 
 
    3. Are the marine mammals (Pinnipedia) monophyletic or Polyphyletic? State your reasoning as supported by the tree.