Question

Which of the following is untrue regarding the Distance analysis programs in PHYLIP?

(a) FITCH estimates a phylogenetic tree assuming additivity of branch lengths

(b) FITCH uses the Fitch-Margoliash method

(c) FITCH assumes a molecular clock but KITSCH does not

(d) NEIGHBOR estimates phylogenies using the neighbor-joining or unweighted pair group method with arithmetic mean (UPGMA)

This question was addressed to me in an online interview.

This question is from Maximum Parsimony Method in section Phylogenetic Tree Construction Methods and Programs of Bioinformatics

Answer 1

Right choice is (c) FITCH assumes a molecular clock but KITSCH does not

Best explanation: KITSCH assumes a molecular clock but FITCH does not. Also, in NEIGHBOR the neighbor-joining method does not assume a molecular clock and produces an unrooted tree. The UPGMA method assumes a molecular clock and produces a rooted tree.