Question

The figure below shows two possible hypotheses for relationships among major vertebrate groups. Which of the following statements accurately describes how we might assess which of these two phylogenies is more likely to be true? Ray-finned fish Amphibians Crocodiles Rodents & rabbits Dinosaurs & birds Sharks Primates Rodents & rabbits Dinosaurs & birds Sharks Ray-finned fish Amphibians Primates Crocodiles Hair Two Hair post-orbital fenestrae Amniotic egg Four limbs Bony skeleton Vertebrae Hypothesis 1 TWO post-orbital fenestrae Amniotic egg Four limbs Bony skeleton- Vertebrae Hypothesis 2 O The phylogeny shown as hypothesis 1 includes more monophyletic clades than does the phylogeny for hypothesis 2. The phylogeny shown as hypothesis 2 includes fewer homoplasies than does the phylogeny for hypothesis 1. O The phylogeny shown as hypothesis 1 includes fewer character state changes than does the phylogeny for hypothesis 2. The phylogeny shown as hypothesis 2 is more parsimonious than is the phylogeny for hypothesis 1.

Answer 1

The answer will be C as the phylogeny in hypothesis 1 observes fewer charater state changes than hypothesis 2