Final answer:
The question misconstrues 'Strait' for the work on phylogenetic trees. It is Charles Darwin who initially sketched a phylogenetic tree to hypothesize evolutionary relationships. Modern evolutionists utilize genetics and computational methods to refine these models, recognizing the complexity beyond Darwin's early representations.
Step-by-step explanation:
Understanding Phylogenetic Trees and Evolutionary Relationships
The question posits whether a "Strait" has constructed a hypothesis of descendant relationships. This appears to be a reference to the work surrounding phylogenetic trees and evolutionary modeling. The primary figure of interest here is not Strait, but rather Charles Darwin, who is well-known for sketching the first phylogenetic tree in 1837. Darwin's early attempts at depicting evolutionary relationships, based on morphological characteristics, were foundational in the field of biology. However, through advances such as DNA sequencing and new computational tools, researchers have since expanded upon Darwin's initial model.
Contemporary scientists, like Carson with his work on Drosophila genetics, build upon Darwin's theory by using more precise data, such as intron-repeat sequences, to hypothesize evolutionary relationships and speciation events. These hypotheses not only extend Darwin's work but also provide a continually evolving framework that gets fine-tuned as new evidence emerges.
While the traditional phylogenetic tree has a single trunk representing a common ancestor and branches indicating divergence, today's scientists recognize that this is an oversimplification. Updates to the model are made regularly, drawing on genetics, the fossil record, and other scientific advancements to provide a more accurate depiction of life's complex evolutionary history.