A group that contains an ancestor in which a derived trait evolved and all of its descendants is called a ____.
A)cladogram
B)clade
C)monophyletic group
D)sister group
E)polyphyletic group

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A monophyletic group, also known as a clade, includes an ancestor and all of its descendants that have evolved a derived trait. This is in contrast to polyphyletic groups, which include multiple ancestors and their descendants with independently evolved traits, or paraphyletic groups, which include an ancestor and some of its descendants but not all. Cladograms are diagrams that show relationships between organisms based on shared characteristics, and sister groups are two lineages that are each other's closest relatives. Therefore, the best choice is C, monophyletic group.

A Group That Contains an Ancestor in Which a Derived