Question

"Choanoflagellates are protists. The other four taxa are animals. Which phylogenetic tree highlights the most recent common ancestor of all animals?"

Answer 1

The phylogenetic tree that highlights the most recent common ancestor of all animals is the one that includes the Opisthokonta supergroup, which includes choanoflagellates.

Step-by-step explanation:

The phylogenetic tree that highlights the most recent common ancestor of all animals is the one that includes the Opisthokonta supergroup. This supergroup includes choanoflagellates, which are animal-like protists that closely resemble the common ancestor of sponges and all animals. The presence of choanocyte cells in sponges and the remarkable similarity between these cells and choanoflagellates suggest a possible connection between choanoflagellates and animals.