Consider the phylogeny (Fig. 34.15) below. Which type of data helped the MOST in constructing this tree?
A)fossils from the group glomeromycetes
B)morphological characters associated with fruiting bodies
C)chromosome number of the different species
D)molecular sequence data
E)presence or absence of a continuous dikaryotic life stage

Question

Consider the phylogeny (Fig. 34.15) below. Which type of data helped the MOST in constructing this tree? 
A)fossils from the group glomeromycetes 
B)morphological characters associated with fruiting bodies 
C)chromosome number of the different species 
D)molecular sequence data 
E)presence or absence of a continuous dikaryotic life stage

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Molecular sequence data is the most reliable and informative for constructing phylogenetic trees as it provides a record of evolutionary history that is not influenced by morphological similarities that can be misleading.

Consider the Phylogeny (Fig