Some species in a hypothetical family of plants are hermaphrodites, and others have flowers with separate sexes.What would be most useful in determining which condition was the derived one?
A) A molecular clock
B) Heteroplasy
C) Finding more species in the ingroup
D) Finding an outgroup
E) Maximum likelihood methods

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The most useful way to determine which condition was the derived one would be to find an outgroup, which would allow us to compare the ancestral traits of the group to the traits of the hypothetical family. This would help us determine whether hermaphroditism or separate sexes were the derived trait.

Some Species in a Hypothetical Family of Plants Are Hermaphrodites