Outgroup

Definition

The outgroup is a species or group of organisms that is used as a reference point when constructing a phylogenetic tree. It is chosen because it is believed to be less closely related to the other organisms being studied.

Related terms

Ingroup: The ingroup refers to the group of organisms that are more closely related to each other than they are to the outgroup.

Phylogenetic Tree:

A phylogenetic tree is a diagram that shows the evolutionary relationships between different species or groups of organisms.

Common Ancestor:

Common ancestor refers to an organism from which two or more different species evolved.