How can evolution be shown in a taxonomic key?

Question

Clara Atchley · Accepted Answer

A taxonomic key can be used to show the proposed evolution of organisms from the simple to the complex.

The idea of descent with modification—which holds that life began with a simple single cell and evolved into the vast array of complex organisms that exist in the world today—is powerfully illustrated by the Tree of Life. It's critical to understand that, despite being a crucial example of Darwinian evolution, the Tree of Life cannot be used to support the theory at the same time.

Daniel Allen · Answer

undefined A taxonomic key illustrates evolutionary relationships between organisms by classifying them according to their common characteristics and ancestry; organisms with more recent common ancestors are grouped together more closely in the key, indicating their evolutionary relatedness; similarities in physical traits, genetic sequences, and other characteristics used for classification can be used to demonstrate evolutionary relatedness; furthermore, contemporary taxonomic keys frequently incorporate molecular data and phylogenetic analyses to further refine evolutionary relationships among organisms.