polüfüleetiline

Polüfüleetiline refers to a grouping of organisms that does not include their most recent common ancestor. In evolutionary biology, a phylogenetic classification aims to group organisms based on their shared evolutionary history, meaning that a natural group, or monophyletic group, should include an ancestor and all of its descendants. A polyphyletic group, conversely, is characterized by the convergence of traits that arose independently in different lineages. This often occurs due to similar environmental pressures leading to analogous structures or functions. For example, the ability to fly evolved independently in birds, bats, and insects. If these were grouped together based solely on flight, it would be a polyphyletic classification because their last common ancestor was not capable of flight. The recognition of polyphyletic groups is important for understanding evolutionary processes like convergent evolution and for distinguishing them from natural, monophyletic groups which form the basis of modern systematic classifications. Identifying and correcting polyphyletic groupings is a key goal in the construction of accurate phylogenetic trees and taxonomic systems.