Under the Pancrustacea hypothesis, hexapods are more closely related to which group than to myriapods?

Under the Pancrustacea hypothesis, hexapods are more closely related to which group than to myriapods?

• A. Insects
• B. Myriapods
• C. Crustaceans
• D. Echinoderms

Answer: (C)

Under Pancrustacea, hexapods and crustaceans form a close-knit group, meaning hexapods are more closely related to crustaceans than to myriapods. This view is supported by molecular phylogenies and some shared developmental and anatomical features that link crustaceans with hexapods, pointing to a common ancestor after the split from myriapod lineages. Echinoderms are a distant, separate phylum, so they are not the closer relatives in this context. Among the options, crustaceans best fit the relationship described by Pancrustacea.

Under Pancrustacea, hexapods and crustaceans form a close-knit group, meaning hexapods are more closely related to crustaceans than to myriapods. This view is supported by molecular phylogenies and some shared developmental and anatomical features that link crustaceans with hexapods, pointing to a common ancestor after the split from myriapod lineages. Echinoderms are a distant, separate phylum, so they are not the closer relatives in this context. Among the options, crustaceans best fit the relationship described by Pancrustacea.