Question

The genomes of three species of mouse are being sequenced, and a particular DNA sequence found in all three species is found to have a steady mutation rate. The sequence of interest for these three species is shown below.
Species A: ATTCGGATTATTCGAGG
Species B: GTCCGGTTCATTGGACA
Species C: ATCCAGATCGTTCGTGG
Which of the following inferences can be made, based on this information?

A. Species B and Species C most likely diverged from Species A since they both have more mutations than Species A.
B. Species B most likely evolved from Species C since they are closest to each other in terms of number of mutations.
C. Species A and Species C most likely share the most recent common ancestor since they differ by the fewest mutations.
D. Species C most likely diverged from Species A more recently than Species B since Species C has fewer mutations than Species B.

Answer 1

Based on the principle of phylogenic tree building principle. the right answer is:
C) The genomes of three species of mouse are being sequenced, and a particular DNA sequence found in all three species is found to have a steady mutation rate. The sequence of interest for these three species is shown below. 

A and C has only 5 differences.
A and B has 7 differences.  
B and C has 9 differences.