Which of the Following Distinguishes a Phylogenetic Tree from a Cladogram

Question

Which of the following distinguishes a phylogenetic tree from a cladogram?
A)It is a branching diagram.
B)It depicts the nested hierarchy of clades within clades.
C)Synapomorphies are needed to construct it.
D)Its structure denotes real lineages that occurred in the evolutionary past.

Accepted Answer

While both phylogenetic trees and cladograms are branching diagrams that depict the nested hierarchy of clades, only phylogenetic trees show the evolutionary relationships of organisms and denote real lineages that occurred in the evolutionary past. Cladograms, on the other hand, may only show the presence or absence of derived traits (synapomorphies) within groups of organisms.