The table shows the ancestral and derived traits of five species (A-E). In the table, the ancestral state of each trait is indicated by 0, and the derived state is indicated by 1.Which species (if any) is sister to species E?
A) Species A
B) Species B
C) Species C
D) Species D
E) No species is sister to species E.

Question

The table shows the ancestral and derived traits of five species (A-E). In the table, the ancestral state of each trait is indicated by 0, and the derived state is indicated by 1.Which species (if any) is sister to species E? 
A) Species A 
B) Species B 
C) Species C 
D) Species D 
E) No species is sister to species E.

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Species C shares two derived traits with species E (traits 2 and 4), indicating that they share a more recent common ancestor than any of the other species. None of the other species share more than one derived trait with species E. Therefore, species C is the sister to species E.

The Table Shows the Ancestral and Derived Traits of Five