The Phylogenetic Tree of Life Circular Chart

A phylogenetic tree or evolutionary tree is a branching diagram or "tree" showing the inferred evolutionary relationships among various biological species or other entities based upon similarities and differences in their physical and/or genetic characteristics. The taxa joined together in the tree are implied to have descended from a common ancestor. In a rooted phylogenetic tree, each node with descendants represents the inferred most recent common ancestor of the descendants, and the edge lengths in some trees may be interpreted as time estimates. Each node is called a taxonomic unit. Internal nodes are generally called hypothetical taxonomic units (HTUs) as they cannot be directly observed. Trees are useful in fields of biology such as bioinformatics, systematics and comparative phylogenetics. Image reproduction rights can be found in the link near the bottom of this description. Sign up to Mr. Rebates for FREE and save 12% on any zazzle order in addition to a $5.00 sign up bonus All Rights Reserved; without: prejudice, recourse or notice (U.C.C. 1-308) Image Reproduction Rights: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Tree_of_life_SVG.svg "phylogenetic tree" "evolutionary tree" diagram "branching diagram" evolution "evolution tree" "evolutionary tree" biology "tree of life" "phylogenetic tree of life" "taxonomic unit" "hypothetical taxonomic units" htu bioinformatics systematics "comparative phylogenetics" science biology "biology tree" "Phylogenetic Tree of Life"