phyletic

[fahy-let-ik]

adjective

Biology.

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

phyletic

/ ˌfaɪləʊdʒɪˈnɛtɪk, faɪˈlɛtɪk /

adjective

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

Other Word Forms

• phyletically adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of phyletic¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of phyletic¹

C19: from Greek phuletikos tribal

Example Sentences

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

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

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

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The second phyletic line gave rise to the sordida group and diverged from the prototype in the development of an angular maxillary and a breeding call consisting of a primary note followed by secondary notes.

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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.

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