Use the following to answer questions :
Refer to the diagram below of a phylogenetic tree.
-Which of the following constitute a monophyletic group?
A) Chimpanzee and mouse
B) Chimpanzee, mouse, pigeon, and crocodile
C) Chimpanzee, mouse, pigeon, crocodile, and lizard
D) Chimpanzee, pigeon, and salamander
E) Both a and c

Question

Use the following to answer questions :
Refer to the diagram below of a phylogenetic tree. 
-Which of the following constitute a monophyletic group?
A) Chimpanzee and mouse 
B) Chimpanzee, mouse, pigeon, and crocodile 
C) Chimpanzee, mouse, pigeon, crocodile, and lizard 
D) Chimpanzee, pigeon, and salamander 
E) Both a and c

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A monophyletic group includes a common ancestor and all of its descendants. Chimpanzee and mouse share a common ancestor, and adding pigeon and crocodile creates a larger monophyletic group. Therefore, both choices a and c are correct. Choice d is not correct because it does not include all the descendants of the common ancestor, and choice b is not correct because it includes lizard which does not share the same common ancestor as the other species in the group.

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