Based on this tree, which statement is correct?

A) The human lineage is a basal taxon.
B) Salamanders are a sister group to the group containing lizards, goats, and humans.
C) Salamanders are as closely related to lizards as to humans.
D) Goats are more closely related to salamanders than to humans.

Question

Based on this tree, which statement is correct?

A) The human lineage is a basal taxon. 
B) Salamanders are a sister group to the group containing lizards, goats, and humans. 
C) Salamanders are as closely related to lizards as to humans. 
D) Goats are more closely related to salamanders than to humans.

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The branching pattern indicates that the group containing lizards, goats, and humans is a clade, which means that they share a common ancestor more recently with each other than with any other group on the tree. Salamanders branch off earlier than this group, indicating they are a sister group to this clade, but not part of it. Therefore, option B is correct. Option A is incorrect because the human lineage is part of the clade with lizards and goats, so it is not a basal taxon. Option C is incorrect because salamanders are more distantly related to lizards than they are to humans. Option D is incorrect because goats and humans are part of the same clade, so they are more closely related to each other than to salamanders.

Based on This Tree, Which Statement Is Correct