Phylogeny - Meaning, Definition & English Examples
Definition:
The evolutionary history and relationships among species or groups of organisms.
Synonyms:
evolution, lineage, ancestry, genealogy
Part of Speech:
noun
Antonyms:
unrelatedness, divergence
Common Collocations:
phylogenetic tree, molecular phylogeny, evolutionary phylogeny
Derivatives:
phylogenetic, phylogenetically
Usage Tips:
Use "phylogeny" when discussing evolutionary relationships, not for individual traits or short-term changes.
Common Phrases:
tree of life, branching pattern, common ancestry
Etymology:
From Greek "phylon" (race) + "geneia" (origin), meaning the origin and development of species.
Examples:
- 1. The phylogeny of birds reveals their dinosaur ancestors.
- 2. Scientists study phylogeny to understand how species evolved.
- 3. This phylogenetic tree shows the relationships among primates.
- 4. Molecular data helps reconstruct accurate phylogenies.