EXERCISE: Taxonomy database
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Answers by: Rasmus Wernersson (v18103)

Question 1:
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a)
Quite a lot extinct groups are encountered along the way - this is marked by a
small cross shaped icon next to the group. Many of these groups do not have a 
page dedicated to them but are there for putting the taxonomical placement of 
modern groups into context. 

A good example of an "important" extinct group which has a dedicated page is
"Ichthyostega" [link: http://www.tolweb.org/Ichthyostega/15015], which was
one of the very first terrestical vertabrates and have a lot of both "fish" 
and "reptile" characteristica.

b) - the updated version of the question.

7 species:

Felis bieti (Chinese mountain cat)
Felis catus (domestic cat)
Felis chaus (jungle cat)
Felis manul (Pallas' cat)
Felis margarita (sand cat)
Felis nigripes (black-footed cat)
Felis silvestris (wildcat)

Question 2:
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a) 
Sus - this make perfect sense, since this is the "Genus" level and the latin
name always consists of Genus + specis: Sus scrofa.

b)
When we reach Artiodactyla (Danish: "Parrettåede hovdyr") other animals such as
camels, cows and hippos are included.

c)
Artiodactyla (including the pigs) is the sister group to the Whales. The 
interesting finding here is that the Whales branches off in the middle of the
mammalian tree - it's NOT an ancient branch after which the rest of the
mammals evolved. The whale group is only about 55 million years "old".

A lot of further information on the whale page:
http://tolweb.org/Cetacea/15977

Question 3:
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a)
Of the three main dinosaur groups Theropoda is NOT marked as extinct.

b)
No - since extant ("still living") sub-groups exists.

c)
Yes - all birds are decendants from the theropod dinosaurs and are therefore 
dinosaurs in the taxonomical sense of the word.

Notice: The mordern birds are in a well defined taxonomical group (sharing a 
single common ancestor) which can easily be separated from the rest of the 
Dinosauria.The issue here is that it makes no sense to speak of Dinosauria 
without including the birds - and the same way it wouldn't make sense to speak 
of the mammals without including the pigs.

Question 4:
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a)
Taxonomy ID: 33208

b) 
Euarchontoglires (rank: superorder) is the last common group before human and
mouse brances off into primates and rodents.

c)
Using the Abbreviated list:
Craniata (subphylum)

Using the Full list:
Gnathostomata (superclass)

d)
Metazoa - "animals" (kingdom).