Consider the cladogram associated with the question.Which pair of species shares the greatest number of derived characters (synapomorphies)?
A)4 and 2
B)5 and 3
C)6 and 1
D)6 and 2
E)5 and 2

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

To determine the pair of species that share the greatest number of derived characters (synapomorphies), we need to look for the longest branch in the cladogram that connects two species. The branch length represents the number of evolutionary changes (i.e. derived characters) that have occurred since the two species diverged from their most recent common ancestor. In this cladogram, the longest branch is the one that separates species 6 and 1, which means that they share the greatest number of derived characters. Therefore, the correct answer is C) 6 and 1.

Consider the Cladogram Associated with the Question