If in the future the current molecular evidence regarding animal origins is further substantiated, what will be true of any contrary evidence regarding the origin of animals derived from the fossil record?
A) The contrary fossil evidence will be seen as a hoax.
B) Phylogenies involving even the smallest bit of fossil evidence will need to be discarded.
C) Only phylogenies based solely on fossil evidence will need to be discarded.
D) The fossil record will henceforth be ignored.
E) The fossil evidence will be understood to have been interpreted incorrectly because it is incomplete.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The correct interpretation of any contrary fossil evidence, if molecular evidence regarding animal origins is further substantiated, would be that the fossil evidence has been interpreted incorrectly due to its incompleteness. This does not mean the fossil record is entirely wrong or useless but that our understanding of it may need to be adjusted in light of new molecular evidence.

If in the Future the Current Molecular Evidence Regarding Animal