pol·y·phy·let·ic (p l  -f -l t  k)adj. Relating to or characterized by development from more than one ancestral type. pol y·phy·leti·cal·ly adv. |
polyphyletic [ˌpɒlɪfaɪˈlɛtɪk]
adj
(Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Biology) Biology relating to or characterized by descent from more than one ancestral group of animals or plants
[from poly- + phyletic]
polyphyletically adv
| polyphyletic (pl-f-ltk) Relating to a taxonomic group that does not include the common ancestor of the members of the group and whose members have two or more separate origins. A group that consists of flying vertebrates would be polyphyletic, as bats and birds independently evolved flight and do not share a common ancestor. Compare monophyleticparaphyletic |
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