From a survey of Martian life, three hypothetical species have been found and nicknamed krons, furs, and pars.If krons and furs are sister species, the resulting phylogenetic tree will have 28 homoplasies.If krons and pars are sister species, the tree will have 22 homoplasies.Krons and pars have red body patches, whereas krons and furs have striped bodies.Based on the principles of parsimony, krons and _______ are sister species, _______ a synapomorphy.
A) pars; and striped bodies is likely
B) pars; and red body patches is likely
C) furs; and striped bodies is likely
D) furs; and red body patches is likely
E) furs; but neither trait can be

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The principle of parsimony favors the hypothesis that requires the fewest evolutionary changes, in this case, the one with the least number of homoplasies. Since the tree with krons and pars as sister species has fewer homoplasies (22) compared to the tree with krons and furs as sister species (28), krons and pars are considered sister species. The shared trait of red body patches between krons and pars supports this relationship as a synapomorphy, making choice B correct.

From a Survey of Martian Life, Three Hypothetical Species Have