In the Phylogeny Shown, Which of the Following Hypotheses Provides

question 8

Multiple Choice

In the phylogeny shown, which of the following hypotheses provides the most parsimonious explanation for the distribution of beak ("bill") color among the five species of magpie? The yellow-billed magpie has a yellow beak and the rest have black beaks.

• A) There is no way to infer ancestral beak color using the phylogenies shown.
• B) The ancestral state was yellow-billed.
• C) The ancestral state was black-billed.
• D) The ancestral state was most likely neither yellow nor black but rather some intermediate color of beak.

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Definitions:

Instrumental Support

A type of social support involving practical or material help, such as providing resources or assistance in completing tasks.

Empathy

The ability to understand and share the feelings of another, a crucial component of emotional intelligence and human connection.

Infatuation

A state of intense, often short-lived passion or admiration for someone or something.

In-group Bias

The tendency for people to give preferential treatment and exhibit more positive attitudes towards members of their own group over those of an out-group.