The Family Felidae (Cats) Is Distributed Across Africa, Eurasia, North

question 70

Multiple Choice

The family Felidae (cats) is distributed across Africa, Eurasia, North America, and South America and is hypothesized to have eight major lineages (Panthera, bay cat, caracal, ocelot, lynx, puma, leopard, and domestic cat groups) as shown in this phylogenetic tree, constructed from DNA sequences. Scientists used a molecular clock and fossil evidence to date the divergence of each group. The dates of divergence are provided in the accompanying figure.

-Which groups would be expected to have the greatest number of genetic differences?

• A) Domestic cat and leopard groups
• B) Puma and ocelot groups
• C) Leopard and lynx groups
• D) Bay cat and domestic cat groups

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Definitions:

Cyclins

Regulatory proteins whose levels oscillate during the cell cycle; cyclins associate with cyclin-dependent kinases to form cyclin-Cdk complexes.

Cdks

Cyclin-dependent kinases, enzymes that regulate the cell cycle through phosphorylation of target proteins.

Anaphase-Promoting Complex

A multiprotein complex that regulates the progression of the cell cycle by triggering the transition from metaphase to anaphase in mitosis and meiosis.

Homologous Chromosomes

Chromosomes that are similar in morphology and genetic constitution. In humans there are 23 pairs of homologous chromosomes; one member of each pair is inherited from the mother, and the other from the father.