Simplify the following text for a Grade 12 native English-speaking person.
Original: Phylogenetic trees of species and higher taxa are used to study the evolution of traits ( anatomical or molecular characteristics ) , and the distribution of organisms ( biogeography ) .
Simplified: Phylogenetic trees of species and higher taxa are used to study the evolution of traits ( e.g. , anatomical or molecular characteristics ) and the distribution of organisms ( biogeography ) .