<P> In phylogenetics , maximum parsimony is an optimality criterion under which the phylogenetic tree that minimizes the total number of character - state changes is to be preferred . Under the maximum - parsimony criterion , the optimal tree will minimize the amount of homoplasy ( i.e. , convergent evolution , parallel evolution , and evolutionary reversals ) . In other words , under this criterion , the shortest possible tree that explains the data is considered best . The principle is akin to Occam 's razor , which states that -- all else being equal -- the simplest hypothesis that explains the data should be selected . Some of the basic ideas behind maximum parsimony were presented by James S. Farris in 1970 and Walter M. Fitch in 1971 . </P>
<P> In phylogenetics , maximum parsimony is an optimality criterion under which the phylogenetic tree that minimizes the total number of character - state changes is to be preferred . Under the maximum - parsimony criterion , the optimal tree will minimize the amount of homoplasy ( i.e. , convergent evolution , parallel evolution , and evolutionary reversals ) . In other words , under this criterion , the shortest possible tree that explains the data is considered best . The principle is akin to Occam 's razor , which states that -- all else being equal -- the simplest hypothesis that explains the data should be selected . Some of the basic ideas behind maximum parsimony were presented by James S. Farris in 1970 and Walter M. Fitch in 1971 . </P>
based on the principle of parsimony which tree is our preferred hypothesis
based on the principle of parsimony which tree is our preferred hypothesis
phylogenetic tree
phylogenetic tree