And, while other branches of the human evolutionary tree are vigorously debated in the literature, the usual signposts of phylogenetic uncertainty (e.g., dashed lines, alternate branches ...

What do phylogenetic trees illustrate? These diagrams don't just organize knowledge of biodiversity - they also show us that living species are the summation of their evolutionary history.

This week, meet a big-brained ancient human relative, hear a meteorite as it lands on Earth, spot a tiny kangaroo-like marsupial, and more.

This includes Lucy, a 3.2-million-year-old human ancestor discovered in Ethiopia ... long arms that suggest she spent a lot of time in trees. But she also walked on two legs, like modern humans.

CHIEF SPECIMENS: cranium, jaw fragments, teeth found in western Chad, 2001 WHEN LIVED (est., in years ago): 7.6—6 million BRAIN SIZE (est., in cu cm): 360-370 (slightly smaller than a male chimp ...

More information: Ewuketu Linger et al, Phylogenetic Effect on Tree Radial Growth Depends on Drought and Tree Sizes, Journal of Geophysical Research: Biogeosciences (2024). DOI: 10.1029 ...