AIIMS 2014 Botany Phylogenetic Classification MCQ Question

✅ Answer: A — Evolutionary trends only

🌿 Explanation

🟢 Phylogenetic classification classifies organisms according to their evolutionary relationships and common ancestry.

🔹 Morphology is not excluded — morphological characters can be used as evidence to determine evolutionary relationships.

🔹 But the basis/principle of phylogenetic classification is the evolutionary history (phylogeny) of organisms.

❌ Why other options are incorrect?

🔴 B — Genetic trends only Genetic data is useful, but phylogenetic classification is not restricted to genetic information alone.

🔴 C — Evolutionary trend as well as morphology Morphology can help establish phylogeny, but the defining basis is evolutionary relationships, not “morphology” as a separate basis.

🔴 D — Behavioural trends in environment Behaviour and environmental adaptation are not the principal basis of phylogenetic classification.

🧠 Quick Revision

Phylogenetic classification → Evolutionary history/relationships 🌿 Evidence → Morphology + anatomy + embryology + fossils + molecular characters

➡️ Answer: A ✅