Examine the Following Table of Characters in Four Different Species

Multiple Choice

Examine the following table of characters in four different species of flower. Based on the matrix, Derek concludes that species A is sister to the remaining three species. Wilma, in contrast, argues that species D is sister to all other species. Who is CORRECT? $$\begin{array} { | l | c | c | c | c | } \hline & \text { Species A } & \text { Species B } & \text { Species C } & \text { Species D } \\\hline \begin{array} { l } \text { Presence of } \\\text { sepals }\end{array} & \text { yes } & \text { yes } & \text { yes } & \text { no } \\\hline \begin{array} { l } \text { Number of } \\\text { petals }\end{array} & \text { five } & \text { five } & \text { ten } & \text { ten } \\\hline \begin{array} { l } \text { Arrangement of } \\\text { petals }\end{array} & \text { whorled } & \text { whorled } & \text { whorled } & \text { whorled } \\\hline \begin{array} { l } \text { Number of } \\\text { carpels }\end{array} & \text { ten } & \text { ten } & \text { ten } & \text { five } \\\hline\end{array}$$

A) Derek is correct, as the tree that puts A as sister to all other species is the most parsimonious.
B) Wilma is correct, as the tree that puts D as sister to all other species is the most parsimonious.
C) Neither, because the most parsimonious tree puts species B as sister to all others.
D) We can't decide from the information given as trees with species A, B, or D as sister to all other species are equally parsimonious.