Monophyletic group

Definition

A monophyletic group consists of an ancestor and all its descendants, forming a single branch on the tree of life. It is also known as a clade and represents a complete lineage.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. 1. Monophyletic groups are essential for understanding evolutionary relationships because they reflect true common ancestry.
2. 2. Only monophyletic groups accurately depict the evolutionary history of organisms.
3. 3. Scientists use genetic and morphological data to identify monophyletic groups within larger phylogenies.
4. 4. In cladistics, the identification of monophyletic groups is crucial for classifying species correctly.
5. 5. Examples of monophyletic groups include mammals, birds, and flowering plants.

Review Questions

• 1. What distinguishes a monophyletic group from other types of phylogenetic groupings?
• 2. Why are monophyletic groups important in studying evolutionary relationships?
• 3. How do scientists determine if a group is monophyletic?

Related terms

Paraphyletic Group: A grouping that includes an ancestor but not all its descendants

Polyphyletic Group: A grouping that includes species with different ancestors

Cladogram: A diagram depicting the evolutionary relationships among different species or other entities based on their physical or genetic characteristics