The best outgroup to use for resolving phylogenetic relationships of vascular plants is the ____ because all of its character states are considered ancestral.
A) angiosperms
B) ferns
C) conifers
D) cycads
E) ginkgophytes

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Ferns are considered the best outgroup for resolving phylogenetic relationships of vascular plants because they possess character states that are considered ancestral compared to those found in seed plants (angiosperms, conifers, cycads, and ginkgophytes). This makes them useful for comparative studies to infer the evolutionary history of vascular plants.

The Best Outgroup to Use for Resolving Phylogenetic Relationships of Vascular