The Tree of Life: A Project
in Phylogeny
An important part of any biology course is classification.
Organisms can be classified by many different methods.
Methods have greatly improved from the time when the
criteria used for categorization consisted of, “If it walks like
a duck, quacks like a duck, swims like a duck, and has feathers, it must be a duck.”
Classification methods now take into account potential evolutionary relationships between
organisms. In this project you will be constructing a phylogenetic tree by researching the
characteristics and evolutionary relationships that exist among the six kingdoms.
The goals of this project include:
Constructing a reference of the kingdoms and phyla that can be used to prepare for
future courses in biology, as well as the AP Exam.
Providing each student the opportunity to express their knowledge and understanding
of the Diversity of Life in an artistic, creative manner.
When this project is complete, you should be able to:
Identify the 6 kingdoms used to classify organisms
Describe the major characteristics of the six kingdoms, using examples
Identify the events that provided for the development of the kingdoms (divergent
evolution)
Identify the major phyla within the 6 kingdoms
Describe the major characteristics of those phyla, using examples
The majority of this project will be completed OUTSIDE of class time. There will be allotted
class periods, but time will be limited. To help you collect the information you need, your
text is an excellent resource, as well as additional book, journal, or web resources (a list of
helpful links will be provided for you).
**Please NOTE: You are expected to critically judge the validity of any resources you use. In
terms of the internet, not all information is reliable. Should you choose to use a source that
is not credible, your grade may suffer if the information is incomplete or inaccurate. If you
have questions regarding a specific source, consult your teacher. One specific source that
should NOT be used is Wikipedia – information on this site can be altered without review or
editing.**
Organization of the Project
Your project can be presented in several ways. Some suggestions are: a book, facebook
profile page, or website design. If you have an additional layout idea, please clear this with
your teacher. Regardless of layout, ALL projects MUST include:
Title page
Numbered Pages
Table of Contents – your phylogenetic tree listing each kingdom and phyla in your
project, along with the respective pages numbers on which they can be found
Bound pages (binder, file folder, etc.)
Copy of the grading rubric
Remember, this is a creative expression of information; picture, drawings, or any other
examples should be colorful, labeled, and titled. Keep in mind that your ultimate goal is to
prepare a work that can serve as a study resource for either the AP exam or any other course
in this material. Your final work can be typed or handwritten, but neatness, organization,
and design WILL be taken into consideration.
**This project requires investment of time and effort. It is not a good idea to leave this
project until the last minute. In order to ensure you are meeting the pacing, a series of
checkpoints are provided below. At each checkpoint, you will be required to hand in a
benchmark set of information. You will receive a homework grade for each set.
Dates to Remember:
Assignment of project:
11/20/09
Invertebrate Information: 12/2/09
Protist Information:
12/9/09
Fungi Information:
12/16/09
Plant Information:
1/6/10
Animal Information:
1/13/10
Completed Project:
1/20/10
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Useful Internet Resources
Tree of Life Web Project: www.tolweb.org/tree/phylogeny.html
Science Primer in Phylogenetics: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/About/primer/phylo.html
University of California Phylogeny Wing:
http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/help/navphylogeny.html
Phylogeny by the University of Tennessee:
http://www.utm.edu/departments/cens/biology/rirwin/120/b120lab.htm
PBS: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/evolution/library/05/1/l_051_01.html
Phylogeny Project Guidelines:
**For all six kingdoms, include the following information:
Describe the major features of each kingdom.
Body Plan – are organisms in this kingdom unicellular, multicellular, or are both types of
body plans found in this particular kingdom? If this kingdom has both types of body plans,
provide an example of each.
Divergent Event – identify and describe an event that lead to the evolution of this kingdom
and separation from earlier kingdoms.
Metabolism – are autotrophic, heterotrophic, or both types of organisms found in this
kingdom? If this kingdom has both, provide an example of each.
Digestion – intracellular or extracellular? If it is extracellular, is it gastrovascular, complete, or
incomplete?
Circulation – open or closed? What type of heart is found in this kingdom?
Respiration – gills, book lungs, or lungs?
Nervous – nerve net, ring, ganglia, or brain? If organisms in this kingdom have a brain, what
are the parts?
Reproduction – asexual, sexual, or a both types present in this kingdom? If this kingdom has
both types, provide an example of each.
Examples – Provide TWO examples of organisms for this kingdom. These should be different
examples than those used for the phyla.
For Kingdom Fungi
Include the following FOUR phyla:
Basidiomycota
Ascomycota
Detromycota
Zygomycota
Include the following information for each phylum:
Describe the major features of the phylum. What is unique about this phylum?
Include reproductive information in the description.
Commercial importance – provide a specific example from the phylum that
either is beneficial or is costly to humans. For example, does your example
provide a medicinal, detrital, agricultural, or epicurean benefit or cost?
Examples – provide at least one example of this phylum, including a picture or
drawing. Remember that all pictures taken from a resource must be cited.
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For Kingdom Protista
Include the following SIX phyla:
Ciliophora
Zoomatiginia
Euglenophyta
Chlorophyta
Phaeophyta
Rhodophyta
Include the following information for each phylum:
Describe the major features of the phylum. What is unique about this phylum?
Type of Protist – fungust-like, plant-like, or animal-like protest?
Examples – provide at least one example of this phylum, including a picture or
drawing. Remember that all pictures taken from a resource must be cited.
**For Kingdom Archaebacteria and Eubacteria, provide a kingdom page
following the guidelines on Page 4.**
For Kingdom Plantae
Include the following SIX phyla:
Bryophyta
Pterophyta
Cycadophyta
Gingophyta
Coniferophyta
Anthophyta
Include the following information for each phylum:
Describe the major features of the phylum. What is unique about this phylum?
Environment – where would the plants in this phylum usually be found?
Examples – provide at least one example of this phylum, including a picture or
drawing. Remember that all pictures taken from a resource must be cited.
Include the following information for Phylum Anthophyta:
Information on two classes Monocotyledonae and Dicotyledonae, which
should incorporate the following:
Describe the major features of each particular class. What is unique
about each?
Example - provide at least one example of this phylum, including a
picture or drawing. Remember that all pictures taken from a resource
must be cited.
For Kingdom Animalia
Include the following NINE phyla:
Porifera
Cnidaria
Platyhelminthes
Nematoda
Annelida
Mollusca
Arthoropoda
Echinodermata
Chordata
Include the following information for each phylum:
Describe the major features of the phylum. What is unique about this phylum?
Examples – provide at least one example of this phylum, including a picture or
drawing. Remember that all pictures taken from a resource must be cited.
Include the following information for Phylum Chordata:
Describe the major features for Subphylum Vertebrata and 8 classes of
vertebrates:
Myxini
Cephalospidomorphi
Chodricthyes
Osteichthyes
Amphibia
Reptilia
Aves
Mammalia
Include the following information for each class of vertebrates:
Describe the major features of the phylum. What is unique about this
phylum?
Examples – provide at least one example of this phylum, including a
picture or drawing. Remember that all pictures taken from a resource
must be cited.
Tree of Life: A Project in Phylogeny Rubric
Name: ______________________________________________
Category
Kingdoms
(x2)
Archaebacteria
(x2)
Eubacteria
(x2)
Protista Phyla
(x2)
Fungi Phyla
(x2)
Plantae Phyla
(x2)
Anthophyta
Classes
(x2)
Animalia
Phyla
(x2)
4
Exceptional
examples that
will be easy to
remember; good
study aid.
Exceptional
examples that
will be easy to
remember; good
study aid.
Exceptional
examples that
will be easy to
remember; good
study aid.
Exceptional
examples that
will be easy to
remember; good
study aid.
Exceptional
examples that
will be easy to
remember; good
study aid.
Exceptional
examples that
will be easy to
remember; good
study aid.
Exceptional
examples that
will be easy to
remember; good
study aid.
Exceptional
examples that
will be easy to
remember; good
study aid.
3
2
1
0
All relevant items
are present.
Examples are
good.
One factual error
OR missing item.
Many missing
items OR errors.
Section missing
completely
All relevant items
are present.
Examples are
good.
One factual error
OR missing item.
Many missing
items OR errors.
Section missing
completely
All relevant items
are present.
Examples are
good.
One factual error
OR missing item.
Many missing
items OR errors.
Section missing
completely
All relevant items
are present.
Examples are
good.
One factual error
OR missing item.
Many missing
items OR errors.
Section missing
completely
All relevant items
are present.
Examples are
good.
One factual error
OR missing item.
Many missing
items OR errors.
Section missing
completely
All relevant items
are present.
Examples are
good.
One factual error
OR missing item.
Many missing
items OR errors.
Section missing
completely
All relevant items
are present.
Examples are
good.
One factual error
OR missing item.
Many missing
items OR errors.
Section missing
completely
All relevant items
are present.
Examples are
good.
One factual error
OR missing item.
Many missing
items OR errors.
Section missing
completely
Category
Animalia
Subphyla
(x2)
Animalia
Classes
(x2)
Phylogenetic
Tree
(x2)
Overall
Requirements
(x2)
Grammar &
Syntax
(x1)
4
Exceptional
examples that
will be easy to
remember; good
study aid.
Exceptional
examples that
will be easy to
remember; good
study aid.
Accurate and
clear phylogeny
that provides an
exceptional study
aid.
Extremely
detailed,
scholarly,
creative and
artistic
presentation.
All spelling and
punctuation are
correct.
Readability is
clear.
Total: ________/100
3
2
1
0
All relevant items
are present.
Examples are
good.
One factual error
OR missing item.
Many missing
items OR errors.
Section missing
completely
All relevant items
are present.
Examples are
good.
One factual error
OR missing item.
Many missing
items OR errors.
Section missing
completely
A good
representation
that has no errors.
One factual error
OR missing item.
Many missing
items OR errors.
Section missing
completely
Properly
constructed
book, lacking
details and
creativity.
Poor
construction,
sloppy
presentation.
Unbound or
missing
organization.
No organization
at all, many
required
components are
missing.
Less than 5 errors
in spelling and
punctuation.
Errors do not
interfere with
readability.
Less than 10
errors in spelling
and punctuation.
Errors have a
mild impact on
readability.
Less than 15
errors in spelling
and punctuation.
Errors are
distraction in
readability.
Project is full of
so many spelling
and punctuation
errors that
readability is
severely
impacted.