Final answer:
Convergent evolution can cause distantly related species to develop similar traits, making them appear more closely related than they are on phylogenetic trees. Phylogenetic trees use homologous traits and are updated as new information arises. They are hypotheses that reflect our current understanding of evolutionary relationships.
Step-by-step explanation:
Some organisms that appear very closely related on a phylogenetic tree may not actually be closely related due to convergent evolution, which can lead to similar traits in distantly related species. This phenomenon occurs when different species evolve similar characteristics independently, often due to similar environmental pressures, not because they share a common ancestor with those traits. This can make those species appear more similar than they genetically are.
Phylogenetic trees are based on evolutionary connections and use homologous characteristics, rather than analogous characteristics, to build the tree. However, homoplasy - when similar characteristics occur because of environmental constraints and not due to a close evolutionary relationship - can lead to misinterpretations of evolutionary relationships. Therefore, when phylogenetic trees are constructed, they are considered hypotheses and are updated as new genetic and morphological data become available.