Cladistics

Cladistics (Greek: clados = branch) is the most prominent of several methods of phylogenetic systematics (Greek: phyle = tribe, race and genetikos = relative to birth, from genesis = birth). Phylogenetic systematics occupies itself by researching evolutionary relationships, by descent, of living things (see biology). Cladistics is a method of rigorous analysis, using "shared derived properties" (synapomorphies: see below). Cladistic analysis forms the basis for most modern systems of classification, which seek to group organisms by evolutionary relationships. In contrast, phenetics groups organisms based on their overall similarity, while more traditional approaches tend to rely on key characters. Willi Hennig is widely regarded as the founder of cladistics.

Related Topics:
Greek - Evolution - Biology - Phenetics - Willi Hennig

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