Use the following to answer questions :
Refer to the diagram below of a phylogenetic tree.
-The position of which of the following pairs of taxa could be reversed without changing the meaning of the tree?
A) Mouse and pigeon
B) Crocodile and lizard
C) Crocodile and pigeon
D) All of the above
E) None of the above

Question

Use the following to answer questions :
Refer to the diagram below of a phylogenetic tree. 
-The position of which of the following pairs of taxa could be reversed without changing the meaning of the tree?
A) Mouse and pigeon 
B) Crocodile and lizard 
C) Crocodile and pigeon 
D) All of the above 
E) None of the above

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Crocodile and pigeon are sister taxa, meaning they are more closely related to each other than to any other taxon on the tree. Therefore, if their positions were reversed, the overall structure of the tree and the relationships among the other taxa would remain the same. Reversing the positions of the other pairs of taxa would result in a different tree structure and altered relationships among taxa.

Use the Following to Answer Questions