Cladesgroups

Cladesgroups is a term used to describe assemblages of two or more clades that are treated as a unit for discussion or analysis in phylogenetics and systematics. It is not a formal taxonomic rank; rather, it serves as a descriptive label for grouping multiple clades together within a single framework.

In cladistics, a clade is a monophyletic group consisting of an ancestor and all its descendants. A cladesgroup, depending on its composition, may or may not be monophyletic. If it includes all descendants of a shared ancestor, it effectively corresponds to a higher-node clade. If it omits some descendants, the group becomes paraphyletic or polyphyletic and is typically not used as a formal unit in strict cladistic classifications.

Uses for cladesgroups include simplifying representations of large phylogenies, comparing major evolutionary lineages, or organizing data by broad evolutionary branches in analyses, summaries, or educational materials. In computational phylogenetics, researchers may group clades to reduce complexity or to examine broader patterns across related lineages.

Limitations and cautions accompany the term. Because cladesgroups are not formal ranks, their definitions can vary between studies. Clear communication requires specifying which clades are included and whether the group is intended to be monophyletic. The term is relatively uncommon in standard taxonomic references; alternatives such as “clade group” or “clade assemblage” may be used.

Related concepts include clade, monophyly, paraphyly, polyphyly, phylogenetics, and cladistics.