A) that these organisms are phenotypically more similar to each other than to any others shown on the trees in Figure 26.2.
B) that their morphological similarities are probably homoplasies.
C) that they had a common ancestor.
D) that all three of the responses are correct.
E) that two of the responses are correct.
Answer: C
-If it turns out that the whale lineage diverged from the lineage leading to hippos after the divergence of the lineage leading to the pigs and other artiodactyls, and if the whales continue to be classified in the order Cetacea, then what becomes true of the order Artiodactyla?
A) It becomes monophyletic.
B) It becomes paraphyletic.
C) It becomes polyphyletic.
D) It is incorporated into the order Cetacea.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

If the whale lineage diverged after the divergence of the lineage leading to pigs and other artiodactyls, and whales are classified in a different order (Cetacea), then the order Artiodactyla (which includes hippos, pigs, and other artiodactyls but not whales) becomes paraphyletic. This is because a paraphyletic group includes a common ancestor and some, but not all, of its descendants. In this scenario, Artiodactyla would exclude a descendant lineage (whales) that shares a more recent common ancestor with some of its members (like hippos).

A) That These Organisms Are Phenotypically More Similar to Each