You Discover a New Species of Ape That Is More

question 136

Multiple Choice

You discover a new species of ape that is more closely related to gorillas than to any other species of ape, but walks upright. How would you change the phylogeny below? Photo sources: (left to right) Zoonar/K. Jorgensen/age fotostock; S Sailer/A Sailer/age fotostock; J & C Sohns/age fotostock; Michael Dick/ Animals Animals-Earth Scenes; FLPA/Jurgen & Christi/age fotostock; Yellow Dog Productions/Getty Images.

• A)I would not change the phylogeny at all because only molecular data are considered when studying evolutionary relationships.
• B)I would not change the phylogeny at all until a fossil of the new species is found because fossil evidence is a required component of the data set.
• C)I would group gorillas with humans based on the synapomorphy (shared trait)of upright stance.
• D)I would branch the gorilla lineage and add the new species sister to gorillas.