Four Different Phylogenetic Trees of a Group of Salamanders Have

Multiple Choice

Four different phylogenetic trees of a group of salamanders have been proposed.Trees A and B each require 12 homoplasies,but tree A requires 14 synapomorphies and tree B requires 13 synapomorphies.Tree C requires 15 homoplasies and 13 synapomorphies.Finally,tree D requires 10 homoplasies and 15 synapomorphies.According to the principle of parsimony,which tree (or trees) is the best?

A) Tree A
B) Tree B
C) Tree C
D) Tree D
E) Both tree A and tree B