Imagine you are a systematist who has discovered an unfamiliar animal. Which of the following observations about the animal will best help you find its taxonomic classification?
A. The animal was found near a herd of deer
B. The animal bit you
C. The animal has an unpleasant temperament
D. The animal has sharp, pointed teeth
D. The animal has sharp, pointed teeth
Observations about physical characteristics such as teeth, body shape, size, coloration, and anatomy are more likely to help determine a species' taxonomic classification compared to behaviors or interactions with other animals. Sharp, pointed teeth could indicate the animal's diet or hunting habits, which can provide important clues about its evolutionary relationships and place in the classification system.