Monophyletic
- Pronunciation
- /mon-oh-FIL-ee-tik/
- Category
- Phylogenetics
- Singular
- Monophyly
- Plural
- Monophyly
Definition
A group that consists of an ancestor and all of its descendants.
Etymology
From Greek 'monos' meaning 'single' and 'phyle', meaning 'tribe'.
Example
The monophyletic group of mammals includes all living species of mammals and their common ancestor.
Related Terms
- Clade
- Common Ancestor