From similarity and differences of morphological, biochemical, cellular characteristics, biologist have constructed 'phylogenetic (evolutionary) trees' (who is most closely related to who, analogous to a family tree)
In the United States, lightning routinely kills more people each year than tornadoes or hurricanes. Tornadoes, hail, and wind gusts get the most attention, but only lightning can strike outside the storm itself. Lightning is the first thunderstorm hazard to arrive and the last to leave.
Additional Lightning Information. An average of 49 people are killed each year by lightning, based on data from 1985 to 2014. July is the peak month for lightning fatalities, based on data from 2006 to 2013. Not surprisingly, June is the second highest month and August comes in third place.