To Identify the Optimal Phylogenetic Tree from Multiple Potential Trees

question 54

Multiple Choice

To identify the optimal phylogenetic tree from multiple potential trees, many systematists use the ____ , which states that the simplest plausible explanation of any phenomenon is the best.

• A) maximum likelihood method
• B) principle of parsimony
• C) genetic distance method
• D) gradual phyletic hypothesis
• E) punctuated equilibrium hypothesis

---

Definitions:

Sample Proportion

The ratio or fraction of sample observations that belong to a particular category or characteristic.

Standard Deviation

A parameter for evaluating the breadth of dispersion or difference in a set of figures.

Sample Proportion

The fraction of items in a sample meeting a certain criterion, representing a subset of the population fraction with that characteristic.

Sample Mean

The average value of a sample set of numbers, calculated by adding up all the observations and dividing by the number of observations.