cladogenesis

[klad-uh-jen-uh-sis, kley-duh-]

noun Biology.

evolutionary change by the branching off of new species from common ancestral types.

Origin of cladogenesis

1950–55; < German Kladogenese; see clado-, -genesis

Related formsclad·o·ge·net·ic

[klad-oh-juh-net-ik, kley-doh-] /ˌklæd oʊ dʒəˈnɛt ɪk, ˌkleɪ doʊ-/, adjectiveclad·o·ge·net·i·cal·ly, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018