Q: Which equation would you use to calculate the minimum number of evolutionary changes required for a trait in a phylogenetic tree?

$$n = \text{number of trait changes on branches}$$

Question 1

Which of the following best describes a monophyletic group in a phylogenetic tree?

Accepted Answer

A group that includes an ancestral species and all of its descendants.

Question 2

In constructing a phylogenetic tree of cats, which of the following would be the best choice for an outgroup?

Accepted Answer

A dog

Question 3

What does a node represent in a phylogenetic tree?

Accepted Answer

The most recent common ancestor of the taxa that branch from that node.

Question 4

Which of the following statements about the principle of parsimony in phylogenetic tree construction is correct?

Accepted Answer

It favors the tree that requires the fewest evolutionary changes.

Question 5

A trait that is present in two or more taxa and is inherited from their most recent common ancestor is called:

Accepted Answer

A synapomorphy

Question 6

Which of the following is a key bias in the fossil record?

Accepted Answer

Organisms with hard body parts are more likely to fossilize.

Question 7

If two species share a similar trait that evolved independently due to similar environmental pressures, this is an example of:

Accepted Answer

Homoplasy

Question 8

Which equation would you use to calculate the minimum number of evolutionary changes required for a trait in a phylogenetic tree?

Accepted Answer

$$n = 	ext{number of trait changes on branches}$$

Question 9

In a phylogenetic tree, what does the root represent?

Accepted Answer

The most recent common ancestor of all taxa in the tree.

Question 10

Which of the following is true about paraphyletic groups?

Accepted Answer

They include an ancestor and some, but not all, of its descendants.

Question 11

A fossil is more likely to be found if the organism:

Accepted Answer

Had hard body parts and was abundant.

Question 12

Which of the following best describes convergent evolution?

Accepted Answer

The independent evolution of similar traits in distantly related lineages due to similar environmental pressures.

Question 13

Which of the following is NOT a reason for bias in the fossil record?

Accepted Answer

Fossils of older species are more likely to be preserved than newer ones.

Question 14

Which of the following is a homoplastic trait?

Accepted Answer

Wings in bats and insects

Question 15

If a phylogenetic tree is constructed using the principle of parsimony, which tree is preferred?

Accepted Answer

The tree with the fewest evolutionary changes.

Question 16

Which of the following is a synapomorphy for mammals?

Accepted Answer

Hair

Question 17

Which of the following statements about phylogenetic trees is correct?

Accepted Answer

They are hypotheses subject to further refinement.

Question 18

Which of the following is the correct definition of a derived trait?

Accepted Answer

A trait that is a modified form of the ancestral trait found in a descendant.

Question 19

Which of the following equations represents the relationship between the number of taxa ($$t) $$and the minimum number of nodes ($$n) in a $$rooted phylogenetic tree?

Accepted Answer

$$n = t - 1$$

Question 20

Which of the following is true about the fossil record?

Accepted Answer

It is biased toward organisms that lived in environments with high sedimentation.

Phylogenies, Phylogenetic Trees, and the Fossil Record

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