Final answer:
A phylogenetic tree represents evolutionary relationships, with the most closely related species sharing the most recent common ancestor. The more recently evolved organism is at the end of the branches. Genetic analysis would show more similarities between species closer on the tree.
Step-by-step explanation:
Understanding Phylogenetic Trees
A phylogenetic tree is a diagram that represents the evolutionary relationships among various biological species or entities based upon similarities and differences in their physical or genetic characteristics. According to the provided information, organisms that are most closely related will share the most recent common ancestor on the phylogenetic tree and therefore the branching point connecting them would be the closest to the present. For example, if we were looking at Species 1 and 2, and we see that they share a more recent common ancestor than either does with Species 3, then Species 1 and 2 would be most closely related.
The position where an organism would be found on a phylogenetic tree if it had evolved most recently is towards the ends of the branches, not at the base. The base of the tree generally represents the most ancestral form. So, if we were asked to locate the most recently evolved organism, we would look for the species at the end, or most distal parts, of the branches.
When a scientist conducts a genetic analysis of several species, the findings would likely indicate that those species sharing a more recent common ancestor, such as Species D and E, would exhibit a greater number of genetic similarities with each other than with more distantly related species, like Species A and B.
In the context of cetaceans and their relationship to other mammals, the phylogenetic tree indicates that cetaceans are more closely related to even-toed ungulates than to other types of animals. Therefore, contrary to what the question suggests, a horse is more closely related to animals like the hippopotamus or even-toed ungulates than to an armadillo.