Phylogeny
Phylogeny
Phylogeny (pronounced: /faɪˈlɒdʒəni/) is a term used in the field of Biology to describe the evolutionary history and relationships among or within groups of organisms. These relationships are discovered through phylogenetic inference methods that evaluate observed hereditary patterns. The term "phylogeny" derives from the Greek words "phyle" meaning "tribe" and "genetikos" meaning "relative to birth".
Etymology
The term "phylogeny" was coined by Ernst Haeckel in 1866. It is derived from the Greek words "phyle" (φυλή), which means "race, lineage" and "genetikos" (γενετικός), which means "relative to birth".
Related Terms
- Cladistics: A method of classification of animals and plants according to the proportion of measurable characteristics that they have in common.
- Phylogenetic tree: A branching diagram or "tree" showing the inferred evolutionary relationships among various biological species based upon similarities and differences in their physical and/or genetic characteristics.
- Evolution: The process by which different kinds of living organisms are thought to have developed and diversified from earlier forms during the history of the earth.
- Taxonomy: The branch of science concerned with classification, especially of organisms.
- Molecular phylogenetics: The branch of phylogeny that analyses hereditary molecular differences, mainly in DNA sequences, to gain information on an organism's evolutionary relationships.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Phylogeny
- Wikipedia's article - Phylogeny
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