Which of the following statements is consistent with the assertion that protists are paraphyletic?
A) Protists are all more primitive than land plants and animals.
B) Protists all share a common set of synapomorphies.
C) Protists do not share a single common ancestor.
D) The common ancestor of all protists evolved into other eukaryotic groups.
E) All of the above answers apply.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Protists are considered paraphyletic because they include organisms that are the ancestors of other eukaryotic groups, excluding some descendants (such as plants, animals, and fungi). This means that the common ancestor of all protists gave rise to other eukaryotic lineages, not that protists lack a common ancestor or all share specific synapomorphies.

Which of the Following Statements Is Consistent with the Assertion