Phylogeny and Systematics - Principles of Evolution, Ecology and Behavior

Explore the principles of phylogeny and systematics in this 44-minute lecture from Yale University's "Principles of Evolution, Ecology and Behavior" course. Discover how the Tree of Life is constructed through rigorous analysis, emphasizing the importance of genetic information over physical appearances. Learn about the criteria used to determine the most accurate evolutionary tree, including simplicity and probability maximization. Delve into topics such as grouping by common ancestry, misleading analogies, the process of phylogenetic grouping, and the logic behind shared characteristics. Gain valuable insights into how scientists uncover the complex relationships between species and reconstruct evolutionary history.