Question

With reference to the phylogenetic tree of fly families, the largest number of nucleotide base pair sequences are shared by which two families?

• A. Syrphoidea, Hippoboscoidea
• B. Oestroidea, Hippoboscoidea
• C. Muscoidea, Acalyptratae
• D. Acalyptratae, Hippoboscoidea
• E. Asiloidea, Acalyptratae

Answer 1

The correct option is B Oestroidea, Hippoboscoidea

In a phylogenetic tree, the species that diverged from each other recently and share most common ancestor exhibit greater extent of shared DNA sequences. In the given tree, Hippoboscoidea and ancestor of Oestroidea diverged most recently from each other. Hence, among the given options, these two species will have the largest number of shared nucleotide sequences. This makes option B correct.