Monophyletic - Meaning, Definition & English Examples
A monophyletic group consists of an ancestral species and all its descendants, forming a single branch on the evolutionary tree. It is a key concept in phylogenetics.
Definition:
Descended from a common evolutionary ancestor, forming a single branch on the tree of life.
Synonyms:
clade, holophyletic, homogeneous
Part of Speech:
adjective
Antonyms:
polyphyletic, paraphyletic
Common Collocations:
monophyletic group, monophyletic origin, monophyletic lineage
Derivatives:
monophyly, monophyletically
Usage Tips:
Use "monophyletic" to describe species or groups sharing a unique common ancestor in evolutionary biology contexts.
Common Phrases:
"monophyletic clade, " "monophyletic taxon, " "monophyletic relationship"
Etymology:
From Greek "mono-" (single) + "phylon" (tribe), meaning derived from one ancestral group.
Examples:
- 1. The birds and reptiles form a monophyletic group in recent studies.
- 2. Scientists confirmed the species is monophyletic by analyzing its DNA sequences.
- 3. A monophyletic lineage includes all descendants of a shared ancestor.
- 4. The term "monophyletic" contrasts with "polyphyletic" in evolutionary biology discussions.