MONOPHYLETIC Meaning and
Definition
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Monophyletic is an adjective in the field of biology that refers to a taxonomic group, such as a genus or a family, that includes all the descendants of a common ancestor. It describes a classification system where all the organisms or species belonging to a particular group share a single evolutionary origin. In other words, a monophyletic group comprises an ancestral species and all its descendants, forming a clade or a single branch on the evolutionary tree.
The key characteristic of a monophyletic group is the presence of a common ancestor that differentiates it from other groups. This means that all the members of the group share a more recent common evolutionary history with each other than they do with organisms outside the group. Monophyly is often determined through the analysis of DNA sequences or morphological characteristics that reveal the evolutionary relationships among different organisms.
Monophyletic groups play a fundamental role in the classification and understanding of biodiversity. They provide a clear and standardized way to organize and group organisms based on their evolutionary history. By identifying monophyletic groups, scientists can better understand the shared characteristics and evolutionary patterns within a particular group, leading to more accurate and meaningful taxonomic classifications.
Overall, "monophyletic" is a term used to describe a taxonomic group that includes an ancestral species and all its descendants, forming a natural, single lineage.
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Having a single source or origin; derived from one line of descent; opposed to polyphyletic.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for MONOPHYLETIC
Etymology of MONOPHYLETIC
The word "monophyletic" is derived from the combination of two Greek roots: "mono" meaning "single" or "alone" and "phylon" meaning "tribe" or "race".
In the context of biology, "monophyletic" refers to a group consisting of an ancestor and all of its descendants, i.e., a single evolutionary lineage.
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