phylogeny
Use the noun phylogeny to describe the branch of biology that focuses on evolution and the differences between species.
You're most likely to come across the word phylogeny in a biology class. It's another term for "phylogenetics," the study of evolution, diversity, and the way different organisms and species are related to each other. The German biologist Ernst Heinrich Haeckel was the first to use the word phylogeny, in 1866, and Darwin used it soon after. It combines the Greek phylos, "race," with geneia, "origin."
Definitions of phylogeny
-
(biology) the sequence of events involved in the evolutionary development of a species or taxonomic group of organisms
-
synonyms:
evolution, organic evolution, phylogenesis
-
types:
- show 6 types...
- hide 6 types...
-
anamorphism, anamorphosis
the evolution of one type of organism from another by a long series of gradual changes
-
anthropogenesis, anthropogeny
the evolution or genesis of the human race
-
emergent evolution
the appearance of entirely new properties at certain critical stages in the course of evolution
-
macroevolution
evolution on a large scale extending over geologic era and resulting in the formation of new taxonomic groups
-
microevolution
evolution resulting from small specific genetic changes that can lead to a new subspecies
-
speciation
the evolution of a biological species
-
type of:
-
biological process, organic process
a process occurring in living organisms
Cite this entry
Style:
MLA
- MLA
- APA
- Chicago
Copy citation
DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘phylogeny'.
Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors.
Send us feedback
Word Family
EDITOR'S CHOICE
Look up phylogeny for the last time
Close your vocabulary gaps with personalized learning that focuses on teaching the words you need to know.
