Phylogenetic tree
Phylogenetic tree
A Phylogenetic tree (pronunciation: /ˌfaɪloʊdʒəˈnɛtɪk ˈtriː/) is a branching diagram or "tree" showing the inferred evolutionary relationships among various biological species or other entities based upon similarities and differences in their physical and/or genetic characteristics.
Etymology
The term "Phylogenetic" comes from the Greek words "Phylo" meaning "tribe" or "race" and "genetic" meaning "origin". The term "tree" is used metaphorically, drawing comparison to the branching nature of a tree structure.
Definition
A Phylogenetic tree is a visual representation of the relationship between different organisms, showing the path through evolutionary time from a common ancestor to different descendants. The tree is used to understand the complex relationships between species and to trace the development and spread of different species over time.
Related Terms
- Cladogram: A type of phylogenetic tree that only represents branching order, but not the evolutionary time or genetic change.
- Phylogeny: The study of evolutionary relationships among species.
- Taxonomy: The science of classification, in the context of evolutionary relationships.
- 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.
- Common Ancestor: An ancestor that two or more descendants have in common.
See Also
- Molecular Phylogenetics
- Computational Phylogenetics
- Phylogenetic Comparative Methods
- Phylogenetic Network
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Phylogenetic tree
- Wikipedia's article - Phylogenetic tree
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