Which of the following techniques can be used to calibrate the lengths of the branches on a cladogram with time?
Select all that apply.
Linnaean classification
polyphyletic traits
DNA sequences
fossils
To calibrate the lengths of branches on a cladogram with time, the following techniques can be used:
1. Fossils: Fossils provide direct evidence of extinct species and can be used to estimate the age of particular branches on the cladogram. Fossils allow scientists to place specific species or groups of organisms in time by dating the rock layers they are found in.
2. DNA Sequences: DNA sequencing can provide valuable information about the genetic relationships between different organisms. By comparing the DNA sequences of different species, scientists can estimate the time when they diverged from a common ancestor. This information can then be used to calibrate the lengths of branches on a cladogram.
Therefore, the correct techniques for calibrating the lengths of branches on a cladogram with time are DNA sequences and fossils. Linnaean classification and polyphyletic traits do not provide direct evidence of the timing of evolutionary divergence and are not suitable for this purpose.