Refer to the Phylogenetic Tree Below Showing the Phylogenetic Relationships

question 218

Multiple Choice

Refer to the phylogenetic tree below showing the phylogenetic relationships among eight species.Red dots indicate the appearance of derived traits. According to the phylogenetic tree, which synapomorphies unite the pigeon and the lizard?

• A) Feathers
• B) A gizzard
• C) Keratinous scales
• D) Feathers and a gizzard
• E) Feathers and keratinous scales

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Definitions:

Population Size

The total number of individual organisms inhabiting a particular area or environment at a given time.

Inbreeding

The mating of closely related individuals, which can increase the chance of offspring inheriting identical copies of genes from both parents, potentially leading to a greater risk of recessive genetic disorders.

Deleterious Alleles

Deleterious alleles are variants of genes that negatively affect the fitness or survival of an individual carrying them.

Homozygosity

The state of having two identical alleles at a particular gene locus, leading to the expression of a specific trait.