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[1] In phylogenetics , an autapomorphy is a distinctive feature, known as a derived trait, that is unique to a given taxon. That is, it is found only in one taxon , but not found in any others or outgroup taxa , not even those most closely related to the focal taxon (which may be a species , family or in general any clade). [ 2 ]
The term monophyly, or monophyletic, derives from the two Ancient Greek words μόνος (mónos), meaning "alone, only, unique", and φῦλον (phûlon), meaning "genus, species", [4] [5] and refers to the fact that a monophyletic group includes organisms (e.g., genera, species) consisting of all the descendants of a unique common ancestor.
In biological phylogenetics, a clade (from Ancient Greek κλάδος (kládos) 'branch'), also known as a monophyletic group or natural group, [1] is a grouping of organisms that are monophyletic – that is, composed of a common ancestor and all its lineal descendants – on a phylogenetic tree. [2]
More recently, the question of behavioral homologies has been addressed by philosophers of science such as Marc Ereshefsky, [5] [6] psychologists such as Drew Rendall, [7] and neuroscientists such as Georg Striedter and Glenn Northcutt. [8] It is debatable whether the concept of homology is useful in developmental psychology. [9] [10] [11]
The term paraphyly, or paraphyletic, derives from the two Ancient Greek words παρά (pará), meaning "beside, near", and φῦλον (phûlon), meaning "genus, species", [2] [3] and refers to the situation in which one or several monophyletic subgroups of organisms (e.g., genera, species) are left apart from all other descendants of a unique common ancestor.
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Definition of an evolutionary grade [ edit ] An evolutionary grade is a group of species united by morphological or physiological traits, that has given rise to another group that has major differences from the ancestral group's condition, and is thus not considered part of the ancestral group, while still having enough similarities that we can ...
5 Incorrect definition. 7 comments. 6 What's wrong with polyphyly? 4 comments. 7 Is there are fourth category besides monophyly, paraphyly, and polyphyly? 2 comments.