paraphyletic

Scientific  

/ păr′ə-fī-lĕt′ĭk /

1. Relating to a taxonomic group that includes some but not all of the descendants of a common ancestor. In the traditional taxonomy of vertebrates, where fish are a separate class from the classes of terrestrial vertebrates, the class of fish is paraphyletic, since the terrestrial vertebrates are descended from a type of fish.

2. Compare monophyletic polyphyletic

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Example Sentences

Arbitrarily excluding members creates what’s known as a ‘paraphyletic’ group, the equivalent of deciding not to invite a troublesome relative to your wedding – it doesn’t remove them from a family tree.

From Forbes

Puffinus was found to be paraphyletic by Heidrich et al.

From Scientific American

Thus, the most likely explanation for the paraphyletic pattern seen in domestic individuals is a long history of genetic exchange between wild and domestic pigs.

From Nature

Within striped windows, and/or H. timareta are paraphyletic but the taxa do not group by colour pattern.

From Nature

Within striped windows, and/or H. timareta are paraphyletic but the taxa do not group by colour pattern.

From Nature