Phylogeny

Phylogeny

The evolutionary history of organisms, illustrated with phylogenetic trees.

Phylogenetic Tree

A diagram that represents evolutionary relationships among various biological species.

Synapomorphy

A derived trait shared by a group of organisms that was inherited from a common ancestor.

Homology

A similar trait shared among species that arose from a common ancestor.

Analogy

A similar trait that arose independently in different species, not from a common ancestor.

Polytomy

A section of a phylogenetic tree where the order of evolution among three or more species is unresolved.

Monophyletic

A group of organisms that consists of a common ancestor and all its descendants.

Polyphyletic

A group of organisms that does not include the common ancestor.

Paraphyletic

A group that includes a common ancestor but not all of its descendants.

Antifreeze Glycoprotein (AFGP)

A protein that helps some Antarctic fishes survive in icy waters by preventing ice crystal formation.