phylogeneticsystematics
nounUK /ˌfaɪlədʒəˈnɛtɪk ˌsɪstəˈmætɪks/
US /ˌfaɪloʊdʒəˈnɛtɪk ˌsɪstəˈmætɪks/
The science of figuring out how living things are related and grouping them by their family tree.
Scientists use phylogeneticsystematics to see which animals share the same ancient ancestors.
RELATED WORDS
OTHER MEANINGS
2. A method of classifying organisms based on their shared evolutionary history.
The museum's new exhibit explains phylogeneticsystematics with a giant branching tree of life.
3. The study of family relationships among species using genetic and physical evidence.
Her research in phylogeneticsystematics revealed that the two frogs are close cousins.
4. A way of organizing life's diversity by common descent rather than by looks alone.
Phylogeneticsystematics helped reorder the bird display to match their true ancestry.