phyletic

American  

[fahy-let-ik] / faɪˈlɛt ɪk /

adjective

Biology.

1. of, relating to, or based on the evolutionary history of a group of organisms; phylogenetic.

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phyletic British  

/ ˌfaɪləʊdʒɪˈnɛtɪk, faɪˈlɛtɪk /

adjective

1. of or relating to the evolution of a species or group of organisms

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Other Word Forms

• phyletically adjective

Etymology

Origin of phyletic

1880–85; Greek phȳletikós pertaining to a tribesman, equivalent to phȳlét ( ēs ) tribesman (derivative of phȳ́lē phyle ) + -ikos -ic

Example Sentences

Through genomic analysis, researchers have identified ancient viral codes embedded in the DNA of virtually every phyletic lineage.

From New York Times

Researchers have found striking examples of gift-giving across the phyletic landscape, in insects, spiders, mollusks, birds and mammals.

From New York Times

Venoms and repellents are hardly rare in nature: Many insects, frogs, snakes, jellyfish and other phyletic characters use them with abandon.

From New York Times

This phyletic line retained the larval characters and breeding call of the prototype.

From Project Gutenberg

The specialized vocal sac structure in Phrynohyas and Trachycephalus suggests that these two genera may be rather closely allied and represent a single phyletic line from an ancestral stock similar to Osteocephalus.

From Project Gutenberg