Assume that evidence suggests that the crocodiles are more closely related to the birds than the turtles and snakes.If so,then including the crocodiles but not the birds in the class reptilia,would make the class reptilia
A)a monophyletic group.
B)a paraphyletic group.
C)a polyphyletic group.
D)parsimonious.
E)not homologous.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A paraphyletic group is a group that includes a common ancestor but not all of its descendants. If crocodiles, which are more closely related to birds than turtles and snakes, are included in the class Reptilia but not birds, then Reptilia becomes a paraphyletic group since it includes the common ancestor of all four groups (crocodiles, birds, turtles, and snakes) but not all of its descendants (birds).

Assume That Evidence Suggests That the Crocodiles Are More Closely