Consider the following cladogram and list of characteristics:
$$\begin{array}{r}
\text { Moss Fern Conifer Flowering Plant }\
\begin{array} { l c c c c }
\text { Chlorophylls } a \& b & \text { Yes } & \text { Yes } & \text { Yes } & \text { Yes } \
\text { Vascular tissue } & \text { No } & \text { Yes } & \text { Yes } & \text { Yes } \
\text { Seeds } & \text { No } & \text { No } & \text { Yes } & \text { Yes } \
\text { Flowers } & \text { No } & \text { No } & \text { No } & \text { Yes }
\end{array}
\end{array}$$
Based on what you know about the principle of parsimony,which of the following is most likely a shared derived character of conifers and flowering plants?
A)Chlorophylls a & b.
B)Vascular tissue.
C)Seeds.
D)Flowers.
E)Both seeds and flowers.

Question

Consider the following cladogram and list of characteristics: 
$$\begin{array}{r}
\text { Moss Fern Conifer Flowering Plant }\
\begin{array} { l c c c c } 
\text { Chlorophylls } a \& b & \text { Yes } & \text { Yes } & \text { Yes } & \text { Yes } \
\text { Vascular tissue } & \text { No } & \text { Yes } & \text { Yes } & \text { Yes } \
\text { Seeds } & \text { No } & \text { No } & \text { Yes } & \text { Yes } \
\text { Flowers } & \text { No } & \text { No } & \text { No } & \text { Yes }
\end{array}
\end{array}$$
Based on what you know about the principle of parsimony,which of the following is most likely a shared derived character of conifers and flowering plants?
A)Chlorophylls a & b. 
B)Vascular tissue. 
C)Seeds. 
D)Flowers. 
E)Both seeds and flowers.

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The principle of parsimony states that the hypothesis with the fewest assumptions should be selected. Therefore, the shared derived character that requires the fewest number of evolutionary changes is most likely to be correct. In this cladogram, seeds are found only in conifers and flowering plants, which suggests that the last common ancestor of these two groups had seeds. Therefore, seeds are the most likely shared derived character of conifers and flowering plants. Vascular tissue and chlorophylls a & b are shared by three or four groups, requiring more evolutionary changes, while flowers are a unique feature of flowering plants, making them less likely to be a shared derived character. Thus, the best choice is C, seeds.

Consider the Following Cladogram and List of Characteristics Based on What You Know About the Principle of Parsimony,which