If you could protect from extinction only the lineages derived from two of the nodes in the figure, which pair would you save to yield the greatest phylogenetic diversity?
A) Nodes E and F
B) Nodes D and E
C) Nodes C and D
D) All of the choices are equivalent.

Question

If you could protect from extinction only the lineages derived from two of the nodes in the figure, which pair would you save to yield the greatest phylogenetic diversity? 
A) Nodes E and F 
B) Nodes D and E 
C) Nodes C and D 
D) All of the choices are equivalent.

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The pair of nodes E and F should be saved as they are the most distantly related in the tree. Saving these two nodes would ensure that the greatest amount of phylogenetic diversity is preserved. In contrast, saving nodes C and D, or D and E would result in closely related lineages being preserved, and therefore less overall diversity. Saving all choices would result in the preservation of too many lineages, which would not be feasible in real-world conservation efforts.

If You Could Protect from Extinction Only the Lineages Derived