Biology / Unit 8 Bio 1787 short lesson, about 20 seconds
Phylogeny Defined
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The idea
Phylogeny is the evolutionary history and relationship of an organism or group, showing shared ancestry rather than degree of physical similarity.
In practice
A phylogeny placing two species on branches from the same recent ancestor states their shared ancestry, independent of whether they look alike.
Where people slip
Phylogenetic relationship tracks shared ancestry specifically — it does not guarantee closely related organisms will look or behave similarly.
Your place on the trail
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