phylogeny

[ fahy-loj-uh-nee ]

noun

1. the development or evolution of a particular group of organisms.
2. the evolutionary history of a group of organisms, especially as depicted in a family tree.

phylogeny

/ ˌfaɪləʊˈdʒɛnɪsɪs; ˌfaɪləʊdʒɪˈnɛtɪk; ˌfaɪləʊˈdʒɛnɪk; faɪˈlɒdʒɪnɪ /

noun

1. biology the sequence of events involved in the evolution of a species, genus, etc Compare ontogeny

phylogeny

/ fī-lŏj′ə-nē /

1. The evolutionary development and history of a species or higher taxonomic grouping of organisms.

Derived Forms

• phylogenic, adjective

Other Words From

• phy·lo·ge·net·ic [fahy-l, uh, -j, uh, -, net, -ik], phylo·ge·neti·cal phylo·genic adjective
• phylo·ge·neti·cal·ly adverb
• phy·loge·nist noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of phylogeny¹

First recorded in 1865–70; phylo- + -geny

Word History and Origins

Origin of phylogeny¹

C19: from phylo- + -geny

Example Sentences

"It describes a new genus and species, but places them in the phylogeny of tardigrades," Nelson told Salon.

From Salon

Next, the team mapped out the branches of the phylogeny that featured living bioluminescent species.

From Science Daily

The results corroborated the systematic membership of Dermaptera to Polyneoptera and strongly supported the phylogeny within the order, which was inferred from the latest molecular phylogenetic analyses but was significantly different from the conventional understanding.

From Science Daily

"Acoustic communication, broadly distributed along the vertebrate phylogeny, plays a fundamental role in parental care, mate attraction and various other behaviours."

From Salon

My research group is currently working with Williamson, Carnegie Museum of Natural History mammalogist John Wible and other colleagues on this Gordian knot of phylogeny.

From Scientific American