Nota: A tradução desta entrada está atualmente em revisão de qualidade, portanto parte do conteúdo é exibida temporariamente apenas em inglês.
Este verbete ainda não foi traduzido para o seu idioma, portanto o original é exibido abaixo.
polyphyletic
This term is used exclusively within the specialized register of biological taxonomy and phylogenetics. It describes a group that is artificial rather than natural, as it is based on shared characteristics (homoplasies) that evolved independently rather than being inherited from a single common ancestor.
In a scientific context, labeling a taxon as polyphyletic often serves as a justification for revising the classification system to ensure that groups are monophyletic, meaning they include an ancestor and all of its descendants. It is the conceptual opposite of monophyletic and differs from paraphyletic, where some descendants are excluded but the group still shares a single common ancestor.
Meanings
Examples
The group was found to be polyphyletic after the DNA analysis.
Wait, if these species evolved independently, the taxon is polyphyletic.
Many traditional classifications of warm blooded animals are actually polyphyletic.
Many traditional classifications of warm blooded animals are actually polyphyletic.
I wonder if this clade is truly monophyletic or just polyphyletic.
The researcher argued that the grouping was polyphyletic and lacked a single common ancestor.
We must redefine the category because it is clearly polyphyletic.
A polyphyletic group is often based on convergent evolution rather than shared ancestry.
The classification of vultures as a single family was later revealed to be polyphyletic.