synapomorphy
synapomorphy The possession of apomorphic features by two or more taxa in common (i.e. the features are shared, derived). If the two groups share a character state that is not the primitive one, it is plausible that they are related evolutionarily, and only synapomorphic character states can be used as evidence that taxa are related. Phylogenetic trees are built by discovering groups united by synapomorphies.
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synapomorphic , synapomorphic Applied to apomorphic features that are possessed by two or more taxa in common (i.e. the features are shared, derived). If the two gro… Cladistics , cladistics (klədĬs´tĬks) or phylogenetic systematics (fī´lōjənĕt´Ĭk), an approach to the classification of living things in which organisms are defin… Apomorph , apomorphic Applied to an evolutionarily advanced character state. The long neck of the giraffe is apomorphic; the short neck of its ancestor is plesi… Phylogeny , Before the mid-1800s, classification of organisms into groups, called taxa , was generally based on overall similarity of physical appearance. There… plesiomorphic , plesiomorphic Applied to a character state that is based on features shared by different groups of biological organisms and inherited from a common a… outgroup , outgroup A species or higher taxon used in systematics for comparison with a group of closely related species or taxa in order to assess whether part…
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synapomorphy
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synapomorphy