Phylogeny

The science of taxonomy has been steadily expanding ever since Charles Linnaeus developed his famous binary system, but with the advent of molecular sequencing technology, the amount of information available has exploded. Consequently, new taxa are being discovered, relationships among existing taxa are continually being re-evaluated in light of new data, and phylogenetic trees have become astoundingly complex. What follows is a simplified graphical representation of the humble Yeti crab's branch in the overall tree of life (see also Maddison, et al. 2007).

Adapted from Tree of Life Web Project. 2002. Animals. Metazoa. Version 01 January 2002 (temporary). http://tolweb.org/Animals/2374/2002.01.01 Adapted from Tree of Life Web Project. 2002. Animals. Metazoa. Version 01 January 2002 (temporary). http://tolweb.org/Animals/2374/2002.01.01
Phylogenetic tree illustrating the relationship between infraorder Anomura and the animal kingdom. It must be emphasized that this phylogenetic tree is a compilation and condensation of numerous cladograms and is thus grossly oversimplified at many points to enhance conceptual clarity; in particular, indicia of possible paraphyly or polyphyly in source cladograms have been ignored.  Some bifurcations have been omitted altogether, a fact especially apparent when consecutive taxa appear on the same level (e.g., Malacostraca: Eumalacostraca and Decapoda: Pleocyemata: Reptantia).  The image has been split in half due to spacial constraints, resulting in graphical redundancy in the Arthropoda taxon. (Courtesy Tree of Life Web Project © 2007)

Taxonomy

Phylogeny - Anomura