Phylogenetic Trees and Taxonomy Flashcards
1
Q
Q: What is a shared derived character (synapomorphy)?
A
A: A heritable trait present in two or more groups and their common ancestor but not found in distant relatives.
2
Q
Q: What is the principle of parsimony in evolutionary biology?
A
A: The simplest explanation, requiring the fewest assumptions, is usually the correct one.
3
Q
Q: What is a clade?
A
A: A group of species that includes a common ancestor and all of its descendants.
4
Q
Q: How are organisms grouped in phylogenetic trees?
A
A: Based on shared derived characters and their most recent common ancestor.
