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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.

monophyletic

/ˌmɑnoʊfaɪˈlɛtɪk/ /ˌmɒnə(ʊ)faɪˈlɛtɪk/

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.

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