Understanding Metazoan Phylogeny

​

All animals are estimated to have evolved from a single flagellated eukaryote. This graphic follows the evolution of 40 major phyla of metazoans over time while explaining their complex relationships through phylogenics and depicting their general morphological characteristics through illustrations of extant representatives. The depicted phylogeny is based on a comprehensive review by zoologist and professor Dr. Kenneth M. Halanych, with integrated time scale information collected from various scientific texts and illustrations. The thick lines along the geologic time scale represent the first appearance of each phylum in the fossil record.

​

Supervisor: Prof. J. Jenkinson, University of Toronto

​

Artwork © Christy Groves, 2015.