Phylogeny Flashcards
1
Q
Synapomorphy
A
Derived traits shared among a group
Evidence of common ancestry
Nested - Each split adds one or more shared,
derived traits
2
Q
Homologous traits
A
A feature shared by species that are descended from a common ancestor is homologous
3
Q
Ancestral trait
A
A trait present in the ancestors of a group
- Traits inherited from common ancestor in the past, shared by its descendant species
- Longer ago: more species have it
- Shorter ago: fewer species have it
4
Q
Derived trait
A
Not found in the ancestors of a group
Traits that first appeared in the most recent
ancestor, which gave rise to the split
5
Q
Homoplasy
A
Parallel/convergent evolution of common traits
- evolutionary reversal
- Derived traits that seem similar, but are similar
for some reason other than inheritance from
common ancestor (convergence, reversal)
