The emergence of each new branch on the evolutionary tree represents
A)the addition of a new Linnaean taxon within that lineage.
B)the completion of a generation for that particular organism.
C)the introduction of the most important features of a group.
D)a common ancestor and the introduction of a new shared derived feature.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The emergence of each new branch on the evolutionary tree represents a common ancestor and the introduction of a new shared derived feature. This is the essence of how evolution works, where new traits or features arise and get passed down through generations to create new lineages with unique characteristics. Choices A, B, and C do not accurately describe the process of branching on the evolutionary tree.

The Emergence of Each New Branch on the Evolutionary Tree