4. in event of conflicting evidence, choose phylogenetic relationships supported by largest number of traits. Interpret inconsistent results, post hoc, as homoplasies. Reconstructing phylogenetic relationships between species, then using relationships as a template for explanations of evolutionary origin. Parsimony methods search for minimum-length trees. Order defines the nature of permitted character-state transformations.
Polarity refers to direction of character evolution.
Arbitrary decisions in terms of word usage. Opertaional neglect of evident facts. Neglects how far taxa have deviated from ancestors. Types of Characters DNA sequences Phylogenetic relationships of hominoids as revealed by DNA hybridization. Dotted lines indicate uncertainty.