species tree

A species tree is a diagram that shows how different species are related through evolution, similar to a family tree. It depicts the lineage and common ancestors of various species, illustrating where they split from each other over time. Each branch point, called a node, represents a common ancestor, while the branches show the evolutionary paths leading to current species. This helps scientists understand the evolutionary history and relationships among living organisms. Essentially, a species tree maps the shared history of species, highlighting how they have diverged and evolved from common ancestors over millions of years.