The figure below shows the increasing morphological complexity in crustacean legs in 12 different phylogenetic comparisons. Why did the authors of this study choose to analyze the data independently for each comparison?
A) The lower sample size in each comparison makes for a more powerful statistical test.
B) This method allows testing for species selection within each of the 12 comparisons.
C) The observed pattern allows the exclusion of species selection as a possible evolutionary mechanism.
D) This method makes each comparison phylogenetically independent from the others.

Question

The figure below shows the increasing morphological complexity in crustacean legs in 12 different phylogenetic comparisons. Why did the authors of this study choose to analyze the data independently for each comparison? 
A) The lower sample size in each comparison makes for a more powerful statistical test. 
B) This method allows testing for species selection within each of the 12 comparisons. 
C) The observed pattern allows the exclusion of species selection as a possible evolutionary mechanism. 
D) This method makes each comparison phylogenetically independent from the others.

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The authors of the study chose to analyze the data independently for each comparison in order to make each comparison phylogenetically independent from the others. This allows for more accurate analyses of the observed pattern and reduces the risk of confounding factors influencing the results.

The Figure Below Shows the Increasing Morphological Complexity in Crustacean