Question

5. A. Draw a phylogenetic tree for the species labeled below. Label the traits on the branches.

Species	Vascular tissue	Flowers present	Flowers have petals	Stamens multiple of 3	Veins parallel	Stamens multiple of 4-5	Woody stem	Veins branched
Moss (outgroup)
Buttercup	X	X	X			X		X
Foxtail grass	X	X		X	X
Lilac	X	X	X			X	X	X
Maidenhair fern	X
Lily	X	X	X	X	X
Ash tree	X	X				X	X	X

Answer 1

Moss is an outgroup in this phylogeny. Because all traits are found in primitive state.

We have to put the taxons in the phlyogenetic tree in such a way that we get minimum number of transistion. Such tree is known as parsimonious tree.

Please look in the image for solution: