An inherited characteristic in a family is mapped in the pedigree shown - HSC - SSCE Biology - Question 14 - 2022 - Paper 1

To determine the inheritance pattern of the characteristic shown in the pedigree, we need to analyze the pattern of affected and unaffected individuals.

1. Identify Affected Individuals: From the pedigree, we see that affected males and females are represented, indicating that the trait could be either autosomal or sex-linked.

2. Analyze Gender Distribution: Check if the characteristic is more prevalent among males or females. If it is more common in males, it could suggest a sex-linked condition.

3. Look at Generation Transmission: If the trait skips generations or appears equally among genders, it might be autosomal. Since several males are affected with clear transmission patterns, it indicates a recessive trait.

4. Decision: Given that males can pass the trait to their daughters but not to their sons unless they are carriers (which is characteristic of recessive traits), we can conclude that this is an autosomal recessive trait.

Hence, the correct answer is A. autosomal recessive.