Species A and B have long wings, whereas species C has short wings. Which of the following pieces of evidence would best support the hypothesis that long wings are a synapomorphy?
A) Fossil evidence showing that the common ancestor of species A, B, and C had long wings
B) Fossil evidence showing that the common ancestor of species A, B, and C had short wings
C) DNA evidence showing that species A and C are sister species
D) DNA evidence showing that species B and C are sister species
E) Evidence showing that species A and B live in an environment that favors long wings, whereas species C lives in an environment that favors short wings

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

If the common ancestor had short wings, then the presence of long wings in species A and B would suggest that long wings evolved after the divergence from the common ancestor, supporting the idea that long wings are a synapomorphy for species A and B.

Species a and B Have Long Wings, Whereas Species C