A huge free Tree of Life map including 3,000 species is available to download and print for non-commercial educational purposes. The recommended printing width is 54″ so if you have a super wide format printer, you’re in luck. Alternatively, you could paste together enough A4 pages to form this impressive species map created by the Hillis/Bull lab at the University of Texas at Austin.
The Scope of the Tree of Life Map
The number of species represented is approximately the square-root of the number of species thought to exist on Earth (i.e., three thousand out of an estimated nine million species), or about 0.18% of the 1.7 million species that have been formally described and named. This map provides a fascinating glimpse into the vast diversity of life on our planet, showcasing a wide array of organisms from different domains and kingdoms.
This tree is from an analysis of small subunit rRNA sequences sampled from about 3,000 species from throughout the Tree of Life. The species were chosen based on their availability, but we attempted to include most of the major groups, sampled very roughly in proportion to the number of known species in each group (although many groups remain over- or under-represented). This method ensures that the map is as comprehensive and representative as possible, given the constraints of available data.
Educational and Research Applications
The Tree of Life map is an invaluable resource for educators, students, and researchers. For educators, it serves as a powerful visual aid to teach students about biodiversity, evolutionary relationships, and the interconnectedness of life. Students can use the map to explore different species, understand their evolutionary history, and appreciate the complexity of life on Earth.
Researchers can also benefit from this map by using it as a reference for comparative studies, phylogenetic analysis, and biodiversity assessments. The map can help identify gaps in our knowledge, highlight under-represented groups, and guide future research efforts. For example, researchers studying a particular group of organisms can use the map to identify closely related species and investigate their evolutionary relationships.
Moreover, the Tree of Life map can be a valuable tool for conservation efforts. By understanding the evolutionary relationships between species, conservationists can prioritize efforts to protect biodiversity hotspots and preserve the most unique and vulnerable lineages. This holistic approach to conservation can help maintain the integrity of ecosystems and ensure the survival of diverse species.
You can download the full map from the Hillis/Bull lab website.
Via MAKE
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