Polyphyletic
Polyphyletic
Polyphyletic (pronunciation: /ˌpɒlɪfɪˈlɛtɪk/) is a term used in phylogenetics, the study of evolutionary relationships among species.
Etymology
The term is derived from the Greek words poly meaning 'many' and phyle meaning 'race' or 'kind'.
Definition
A polyphyletic group is characterized by one or more common traits that are not inherited from a common ancestor. These traits may have evolved independently in different lineages. This is in contrast to a monophyletic group, where all members share a common ancestor, and a paraphyletic group, where some but not all members share a common ancestor.
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.
- Convergent evolution: The independent evolution of similar features in species of different periods or epochs in time.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Polyphyletic
- Wikipedia's article - Polyphyletic
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