Monophyletic group

Pronunciation
/mon-uh-FYE-leh-tik/
Category
Taxonomy
Singular
Monophyly
Plural
Monophyletic groups

Definition

A group of organisms that consists of a common ancestor and all of its descendant species. All members of a monophyletic group share a single evolutionary lineage.

Etymology

From Greek 'mono-', meaning 'single', and 'phyle', meaning 'tribe' or 'family'.

Example

The group of all extant species of butterflies, consisting of a common ancestor and all its descendants.

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