Lecture 1 Phylogeny

Phylogeny

evolutionary history of a group of organisms, as represented by a phylogenetic tree or dendrogram

Systematics

study of evolutionary relationships among different taxa and their classification

Taxonomy

describing and classifying species

Tip (phylogenetics)

endpoints of a phylogenetic tree, representing the most recent taxa or units being studied

Branch(phylogenetics)

lines connecting two or more nodes in the phylogeny

Node(phylogenetics)

where branches meet in a phylogeny, representing ancestors

Clade

group of organisms evolved from a common ancestor

MRCA

most recent common ancestor of a group of organisms

Homology

similarity of structures due to inheritance from a common ancestor

Synapomorphy

shared, derived traits or features

Symplesiomorphy

shared, ancestral traits or features

Homoplasy/convergence

similarity of character states due to similar function, not inheritance

Monophyly

a group of organisms sharing a common ancestor

Paraphyly

group including the common ancestor, but not all descendants

Polyphyly

group derived from more than one common ancestor

Anagenesis

evolution along branches (of a phylogeny)

Cladogenesis

evolution (speciation) at nodes (of a phylogeny