AP Biologymediummcq1 pt
The most parsimonious phylogenetic tree is the one with
A.the fewest evolutionary changes
B.the most branches
C.the oldest fossils
D.the largest organisms
Explanation
Core Concept
Maximum parsimony is a phylogenetic method that favors the tree requiring the fewest inferred character-state changes under the chosen data/model. It can be a useful heuristic, but modern phylogenetic inference also uses likelihood and Bayesian approaches, so the most parsimonious tree should not automatically be called the uniquely 'best' hypothesis. The term parsimony is not named in the current Fall 2025 AP Biology CED, so this item is better treated as enrichment.
Correct Answer
Athe fewest evolutionary changes
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