In scientific terms (not arborists), what is a branching tree?

Question

We are working on an 8th grade science project and the only thing the teacher gave us was "how the animal evolved, and from what". Bonus points, if you know how to research this for a Galapagos Marine Iguana. Thanks!

Answer 1

An evolutionary tree? A phylogenetic tree? A family tree? dendrogram? cladogram? phylogram? chronogram?

"Phylogenetic tree",Wikipedia : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phylogeneti...

A simple evolutionary tree : http://www.dhushara.com/book/evol/trevol...

(Start with "lizards" top left)

For the Marine Iguana (Amblyrhynchus cristatus) :

"Iguania", Tree of Life Project : http://tolweb.org/Iguania/17559

Click on the arrow on the left to go "down" in the tree : Squamata, Lepidosauromorpha, Diapsida, Amniota, Terrestrial Vertebrates, Sarcopterygii, Gnathostomata, Vertebrata, Craniata.

Another way of representing the same tree you will find at ITIS (Integrated Taxonomic Information System) : http://www.cbif.gc.ca/pls/itisca/taxaste...