monophyletic

[mon-oh-fahy-let-ik]

adjective

Biology. consisting of organisms descended from a single taxon.

Origin of monophyletic

First recorded in 1870–75; mono- + phyletic

Related formsmon·o·phy·le·tism

[mon-uh-fahy-li-tiz-uh m, -fil-i-] /ˌmɒn əˈfaɪ lɪˌtɪz əm, -ˈfɪl ɪ-/, mon·o·phy·le·ty, noun

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Examples from the Web for monophyletic

Historical Examples of monophyletic

On the question as to whether descent was monophyletic or polyphyletic Darwin expressed no dogmatic opinion.
Form and Function
E. S. (Edward Stuart) Russell
The problem of the monophyletic or polyphyletic origin of the human race has also been much discussed.
Evolution in Modern Thought
Ernst Haeckel
It is generally believed that the Arthropoda constitute a natural, monophyletic group.
The Appendages, Anatomy, and Relationships of Trilobites
Percy Edward Raymond

British Dictionary definitions for monophyletic

monophyletic

adjective

relating to or characterized by descent from a single ancestral group of animals or plants

(of animals or plants) of or belonging to a single stock

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

monophyletic in Medicine

monophyletic

[mŏn′ō-fī-lĕt′ĭk]

adj.

Descended or derived from one original stock or source.

Of or being the theory that all blood cells are derived from one common stem cell.

Related formsmon′o•phy′le•tism (-fī′lĭ-tĭz′əm) n.

monophyletic in Science

monophyletic

[mŏn′ō-fī-lĕt′ĭk]

Relating to a taxonomic group that contains all the descendants of a single common ancestor. All clades, such as birds and placental mammals, are monophyletic. Compare paraphyletic polyphyletic.