Biology / Unit 8 Bio 1811 short lesson, about 20 seconds
Maximum Parsimony
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The idea
Maximum parsimony selects the phylogenetic arrangement requiring the fewest evolutionary changes to explain observed shared traits, favoring the simplest supported explanation.
In practice
Given two candidate trees that both fit the data, the one requiring fewer independent trait-origin events is preferred.
Where people slip
Maximum parsimony selects the simplest tree consistent with the evidence — it does not guarantee that tree is historically correct.
Your place on the trail
Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.
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