ECOL 485 Lecture Notes - Lecture 12: Melanie Moore, Sister Group, Synapomorphy
1 Oct 2018
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Document Summary
Taxonomy: naming and defining groups of biological organisms based of of similar characteristics. Genus (genera): taxonomic category that ranks above species and below family that indicates common characteristics that all species from that category share. Species: lowest taxonomic category that ranks below the genus, indicates the specific organism. Systematics: reconstruction of classification of animals using their evolutionary relationships. Phylogeny: the evolutionary history of a organism or the evolution of a genetically related group of organisms connected to a common ancestor. Sister group: closest relatives of another given unit in an evolutionary tree. Sister group- is a phylogenetic term denoting the closest relatives of another. Clade: single branch representing a node with relating species given unit in an evolutionary tree. Clade- a group of organisms believed to have evolved from a common ancestor. Convergent evolution-is the process whereby organisms not closely related (not monophyletic), independently evolve similar traits as a result of having to adapt to similar environments or ecological niches.
