monophyletic adjective. [,mɒnǝ(ʊ)fʌɪ'lɛtɪk] L19.
[from MONO- + Greek phuletikos, from phulē tribe: see -IC.]
Biology. (Of a group or taxon) descended from a common evolutionary ancestor or ancestral group; (of a classification) employing such taxa. Also spec., holophyletic.

■ 'monophyly noun the state of being monophyletic M20.

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