Which of the following are problematic when the goal is to construct phylogenies that accurately reflect evolutionary history?
A)polyphyletic taxa
B)paraphyletic taxa
C)monophyletic taxa
D)polyphyletic and paraphyletic taxa

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Polyphyletic and paraphyletic taxa are problematic when constructing phylogenies as they do not accurately reflect evolutionary history. A polyphyletic taxon includes groups with different ancestors, while a paraphyletic taxon includes only some but not all descendants of a common ancestor. These types of taxa can lead to incorrect evolutionary relationships and should be avoided in phylogenetic analyses. Monophyletic taxa, on the other hand, include all descendants of a common ancestor and are preferred when constructing accurate phylogenies.

Which of the Following Are Problematic When the Goal Is