Maximum likelihood phylogenetic construction methods differ from distance methods in that

A) maximum likelihood methods incorporate specific models of molecular evolution.
B) distance methods use bootstrapping, while maximum likelihood does not.
C) maximum likelihood generates a tree with the shortest possible branch length, while distance methods do not.
D) all of the above
E) none of the above

Maximum Likelihood

The maximum likelihood is an approach used to estimate parameter values for a statistical model. Maximum likelihood and the similar Bayesian method are used in phylogeny reconstruction to find the tree topologies that are most likely, given a precise model for molecular evolution and a particular data set.

Distance Methods

A set of techniques used in molecular biology and phylogenetics to estimate genetic differences and infer evolutionary relationships between species based on genetic data.

Molecular Evolution

The process by which genetic material undergoes changes in its molecular structure and sequences over generations.