monophyletic

[ mon-oh-fahy-let-ik ]

adjective

1. Biology. consisting of organisms descended from a single taxon.

monophyletic

/ ˌmɒnəʊfaɪˈlɛtɪk /

adjective

1. relating to or characterized by descent from a single ancestral group of animals or plants
2. (of animals or plants) of or belonging to a single stock

monophyletic

/ mŏn′ō-fī-lĕt′ĭk /

1. Relating to a taxonomic group that contains all the descendants of a single common ancestor. All clades , such as birds and placental mammals, are monophyletic.
2. Compare paraphyletic

Other Words From

• mon·o·phy·le·tism [mon-, uh, -, fahy, -li-tiz-, uh, m, -, fil, -i-], mono·phyle·ty noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of monophyletic¹

First recorded in 1870–75; mono- + phyletic

Example Sentences

The problem of the monophyletic or polyphyletic origin of the human race has also been much discussed.

From Project Gutenberg

It is generally believed that the Arthropoda constitute a natural, monophyletic group.

From Project Gutenberg

Columbids are almost unquestionably monophyletic, and two lines would have had to diverge and then converge.

From Project Gutenberg

But it is very difficult (and at present impossible) to explain a natural monophyletic system of this large legion.

From Project Gutenberg

All the Catarrhin, or Eastern Simi, form one natural monophyletic group.

From Project Gutenberg