Order: Diprotodontia
Family: Phascolarctidae
Genus: *Phascolarctos*
Species: *Phascolarctos cinereus* (Koala)
Cladogram Placement:
* Domain: Eukarya
* Kingdom: Animalia
* Phylum: Chordata
* Class: Mammalia
* Infraclass: Metatheria (Marsupials)
* Order: Diprotodontia (Possums, kangaroos, koalas, etc.)
* Family: Phascolarctidae (Koalas)
* Genus: *Phascolarctos*
* Species: *Phascolarctos cinereus* (Koala)
Key Points:
* Diprotodontia: Koalas belong to the order Diprotodontia, which is a diverse group of marsupials characterized by two large lower incisors that stick out.
* Phascolarctidae: Koalas are the only living member of the Phascolarctidae family.
* Phascolarctos cinereus: This is the scientific name for the koala.
Visualizing the Cladogram:
Imagine a cladogram as a branching tree. Each branch represents a shared evolutionary history. As you move down the branches towards the koala, you're moving closer to its specific evolutionary lineage.
Let me know if you'd like more detail on any specific aspect of the cladogram!