Question

ORGANISM	Jaws	Lungs	Amniotic Membrane	Hair	No tail	Bipedal
Lamprey	0	0	0	0	0	0
Shark	1	0	0	0	0	0
Salamander	1	1	0	0	0	0
Lizard	1	1	1	0	0	0
Tiger	1	1	1	1	0	0
Gorilla	1	1	1	1	1	0
Human	1	1	1	1	1	1

For the data table shown above, a 1 indicated that the trait is present and a 0 indicates that the trait is absent.
Which of the following statements represents an accurate interpretation of the data?

• A. All organisms in the table share all of the derived characteristics.
• B. Only humans and gorillas share all of the derived characteristics.
• C. Because it shares none of the derived characteristics, lampreys constitute an out-group.
• D. Because it shares just one of the derived characteristics, sharks can be considered an internal branch of the phylogenetic tree.

Answer 1

Answer: (C)

Because it shares none of the derived characteristics, lampreys constitute an out-group.

From the table, it is seen that except Lamprey, all organisms share derived characteristics. Because it shares none of the derived characteristics, it constitute an out-group. Humans and gorillas share most of the derived characteristics. Because it shares just one of the derived characteristics, sharks can be considered an outer most branch of the phylogenetic tree.

Thus, the correct answer is 'Because it shares none of the derived characteristics, lampreys constitute an out-group.'