clade

clade  (kld)

n.

A group of organisms, such as a species, whose members share homologous features derived from a common ancestor.

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[From Greek klados, branch.]

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clade [kleɪd]

n

(Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Biology) Biology a group of organisms considered as having evolved from a common ancestor

[from Greek klados branch, shoot]

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clade  (kld)

A grouping of organisms made on the basis of phylogenetic relationship, rather than purely on shared features. Clades consist of a common ancestor and all its descendants. The class Aves (birds) is a clade, whereas the class Reptilia (reptiles) is not, since it does not include birds, which are descended from the dinosaurs, a kind of reptile. Many modern taxonomists prefer to use clades in classification, and not all clades correspond to traditional groups like classes, orders, and phyla. Compare grade.

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

clade - a group of biological taxa or species that share features inherited from a common ancestor biological group - a group of plants or animals