cladistic analysis
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Definition
- Noun:
- A method of biological classification: "cladistic analysis" refers to a systematic approach in biology for classifying organisms based on shared characteristics derived from a common ancestor.
- A technique for inferring evolutionary relationships: It is a quantitative analytical method used to construct cladograms, which are branching diagrams that hypothesize the phylogenetic (evolutionary) history and relationships among groups of organisms.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- The biologist used cladistic analysis to determine the evolutionary relationships among the newly discovered insect species.
- Cladistic analysis of the fossil data suggested that the two groups diverged much earlier than previously thought.
Advanced Usage
"to perform a cladistic analysis": to conduct this specific type of systematic study.
- The research team will perform a cladistic analysis on the genetic sequences.
"based on cladistic analysis": indicating that a conclusion or classification is derived from this method.
- The revised family tree, based on cladistic analysis, shows several surprising groupings.
Variants and Related Words
Cladistics (n): The broader field or theory of biological classification that uses cladistic analysis as its primary methodology.
- He specializes in the principles of cladistics.
Cladogram (n): The branching diagram (tree) that results from a cladistic analysis, showing hypothesized evolutionary relationships.
- The cladogram clearly illustrated which species were most closely related.
Synonyms
- Phylogenetic analysis: A closely related term often used interchangeably, though it may emphasize the study of evolutionary history itself.
- Cladistics: Can be used as a synonym for the general methodological approach.
Related Phrases
- Parsimony analysis in cladistics: A specific criterion (choosing the simplest explanation) often used within cladistic analysis to select the best cladogram.
- The most likely evolutionary pathway was identified using parsimony analysis in cladistics.
Noun
- a system of biological taxonomy based on the quantitative analysis of comparative data and used to reconstruct cladograms summarizing the (assumed) phylogenetic relations and evolutionary history of groups of organisms