julia is trying to place a duckbilled platypus, lizard, bear, and monkey on a phylogenetic tree. she learns…

julia is trying to place a duckbilled platypus, lizard, bear, and monkey on a phylogenetic tree. she learns that the duckbilled platypus, bear, and monkey are classified as mammals. she also learns that mammals share a common ancestor with reptiles. which additional piece of information will be most helpful to julia to properly build her phylogenetic tree?\n\nthe platypus has fur like other mammals.\nthe platypus does not have feathers like a bird.\nthe platypus lays eggs like a reptile.\nthe platypus does not have fins like a fish.

julia is trying to place a duckbilled platypus, lizard, bear, and monkey on a phylogenetic tree. she learns that the duckbilled platypus, bear, and monkey are classified as mammals. she also learns that mammals share a common ancestor with reptiles. which additional piece of information will be most helpful to julia to properly build her phylogenetic tree?\n\nthe platypus has fur like other mammals.\nthe platypus does not have feathers like a bird.\nthe platypus lays eggs like a reptile.\nthe platypus does not have fins like a fish.

Answer

Brief Explanations:

A phylogenetic tree shows evolutionary relationships. Since mammals share a common ancestor with reptiles and the platypus is a mammal, knowing it lays eggs like a reptile gives insight into its evolutionary position, helping to build the tree. The other options just compare the platypus to non - related groups (birds, fish) or note a general mammalian trait (fur) which is less relevant for tree - building in this context.

Answer:

The platypus lays eggs like a reptile.