26.3 parsimony and likelihood Flashcards
how do you figure out which phylogenetic tree is accurate?
parsimony and likelihood
whats maximum parsimony
we should first investigate the simplest explanation that is consistent with the facts
maximum parsimony examples
when a phylogenetic tree is based on morphology, the most parsimonious tree requires the fewest evolutionary events as measured by the origin of shared derived characteristics when phylogenetic tree are based on DNA, the most parsimonious tree requires the fewest base changes
whats maximum likelihood
the tree reflects the most likely sequence of evolutionary events
for example, a tree that predicts equal change over time is mre likely than a tree that predicts unequal changes in time