When systematists compare vertebrates to all other animals, the absence of a vertebral column is the ____ character state, and the presence of a vertebral column is the ____.
A) homologous; homoplasy
B) ancestral; homology
C) homologous; derived
D) derived; ancestral
E) ancestral; derived

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The absence of a vertebral column is considered the ancestral character state because it is the original state present in the common ancestor of vertebrates and other animals. The presence of a vertebral column is the derived character state, indicating it evolved later in the lineage leading to vertebrates.

When Systematists Compare Vertebrates to All Other Animals, the Absence