Results for “derived trait”

derived trait

In phylogenetics, a trait present in an organism which was absent in the last common ancestor of the group being considered; an apomorphy. Also used to refer to traits present in the ancestral form that have subsequently been lost.

synapomorphy

In cladistics, a character or trait shared by two or more taxonomic groups and derived from a common ancestral form, whose ancestor in turn did not possess that trait.

Used in 42 profiles

plesiomorphy

In cladistics, a character or trait shared by two or more taxonomic groups but derived from a remote or much earlier common ancestral form and therefore cannot be used to define a clade. Also known as an ancestral state and generally appears at the base level of a cladogram.

Used in 2 profiles

symplesiomorphy

In cladistics, a character or trait shared by two or more taxonomic groups and derived from a remote or much earlier common ancestral form.