Two species of flies share traits, such as head morphology and the shape of their genitalia, traits that other related species do not have.These shared characteristics are called
A) homoplasies.
B) synapomorphies.
C) cladistics.
D) parsimonies.
E) ancestral traits.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Shared traits between two closely related species that are not found in more distantly related species are called synapomorphies. In contrast, homoplasies are shared traits that are not inherited from a common ancestor. Cladistics is a method of grouping organisms based on shared characteristics, while parsimony is a principle in which the simplest explanation or explanation with the fewest assumptions is favored. Ancestral traits are traits that are present in an organism's ancestor and are passed down to its descendants.

Two Species of Flies Share Traits, Such as Head Morphology