What classification status does the Genus *Gulo* share with members of the *Mustela* genus within Mustelidae?
Answer
Neither genus exhibits the same evolutionary gap signal as the other.
The status of *Gulo* is uniquely monotypic, setting it apart. In contrast, the text implies that large families like Mustelidae often contain genera, such as *Mustela*, that comprise dozens of species. The difference in species count illustrates the disparity in evolutionary weighting given by taxonomists. The wide diversity within *Mustela* suggests a different pattern of diversification compared to *Gulo*, which stands alone due to a deep, ancient separation resulting from its unique suite of traits, unlike the more recently diversified or more widely speciated *Mustela* genus.
Related Questions
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