Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

cladistics

noun

/kləˈdɪstɪks/

Definition

A method of classifying living organisms based on common ancestry and evolutionary relationships.

Examples

Cladistics provides a clearer picture of evolutionary relationships than traditional classification methods.
Scientists use cladistics to help identify new species by analyzing their genetic traits.
The study of cladistics has revolutionized how we understand the tree of life.

Meaning

Cladistics focuses on the branching patterns of evolution to group organisms together based on shared characteristics inherited from a common ancestor.