The following questions refer to the hypothetical patterns of taxonomic hierarchy shown in Figure 26.2.

-Phylogenetic hypotheses (such as those represented by phylogenetic trees)are strongest when
A)they are based on amino acid sequences from homologous proteins, as long as the genes that code for such proteins contain no introns.
B)each clade is defined by a single derived character.
C)they are supported by more than one kind of evidence, such as when fossil evidence corroborates molecular evidence.
D)they are accepted by the foremost authorities in the field, especially if they have won Nobel Prizes.
E)they are based on a single DNA sequence that seems to be a shared derived sequence.

Question

The following questions refer to the hypothetical patterns of taxonomic hierarchy shown in Figure 26.2.

-Phylogenetic hypotheses (such as those represented by phylogenetic trees)are strongest when
A)they are based on amino acid sequences from homologous proteins, as long as the genes that code for such proteins contain no introns. 
B)each clade is defined by a single derived character. 
C)they are supported by more than one kind of evidence, such as when fossil evidence corroborates molecular evidence. 
D)they are accepted by the foremost authorities in the field, especially if they have won Nobel Prizes. 
E)they are based on a single DNA sequence that seems to be a shared derived sequence.

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Phylogenetic hypotheses are strongest when they are supported by more than one kind of evidence, such as when fossil evidence corroborates molecular evidence. This provides a more robust basis for the hypothesis and increases confidence in its accuracy. A and E are incorrect as they suggest that a single type of evidence is sufficient, which is generally not the case. B is not necessarily true as sometimes clades can be defined by a combination of characters. D is irrelevant as the acceptance of a hypothesis by authorities or Nobel Prize winners does not necessarily indicate its accuracy.

The Following Questions Refer to the Hypothetical Patterns of Taxonomic