Question

Why do scientists apply the concept of maximum parsimony?

to decipher accurate phylogenies
to eliminate analogous traits
to identify mutations in DNA codes
to locate homoplasies

Answer 1

to decipher accurate phylogenies

Step-by-step explanation:

The principle or criteria of using maximum parsimony in evolution genetics is use because of the next premise:

"the most possible evolutionary history is the one with the easiest one".

In other words, the more complicated a predicted phylogenetic tree is, the fewer the possibility that it describes an evolution process correctly, statistially speaking.