| The only known synapomorphy of this group is the presence of a sesamoid bone in the heel region. |
| We have interpreted it as a synapomorphy for asteroids, ophiuroids, echinoids, and holothuroids, to the exclusion of the crinoids. |
| Hyphal fusion is a synapomorphy of the higher fungi, but it is also reported to occur in the stipes of laminaralean brown algae. |
| The proboscis is a synapomorphy of the taxon and is used primarily in prey capture. |
| But this is not very convincing, as it reveals only one valid synapomorphy. |
| It is through cladistic analysis that we are able to tell homoplasy from synapomorphy. |
