Chapter 18, Classification - 18.2 - Modern Evolutionary Classification - 18.2 Assessment - Page 522: 3a

In general, the more the derived genetic characters are shared by two species, the more recently they shared a common ancestor, and, therefore, the more closely they are related in evolutionary terms.

In general, the more the derived genetic characters are shared by two species, the more recently they shared a common ancestor, and, therefore, the more closely they are related in evolutionary terms.