Maximum likelihood methods are most likely to be an improvement over parsimony methods when
A) closely related taxa are being examined.
B) distantly related taxa are being examined.
C) traits are culturally inherited.
D) some types of evolutionary changes are more likely than others.
E) no fossil record exists.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Maximum likelihood methods are an improvement over parsimony methods when some types of evolutionary changes are more likely than others because they can incorporate models of evolution that account for different rates of change among various types of mutations, which parsimony methods do not.

Maximum Likelihood Methods Are Most Likely to Be an Improvement