phylogenetic
adjective
phy·lo·ge·net·ic
ˌfī-lō-jə-ˈne-tik 
1
: of or relating to phylogeny
2
: based on natural evolutionary relationships
3
: acquired in the course of phylogenetic development : racial
Examples of phylogenetic in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Using statistical modeling methods to analyze avian phylogenetic trees for native Australian species, Dr Olah and collaborators had the goal of applying their knowledge to improving conservation efforts for Australia’s many dwindling bird species.
—
Grrlscientist, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2024
As more mosasaur fossils are discovered and as our knowledge of these creatures expands, the team expects Jorgie’s place in the phylogenetic tree may shift.
—Jeanne Timmons, Ars Technica, 30 Oct. 2023
The search for the components of language in nonhuman animals now extends to the far reaches of our phylogenetic tree, encompassing creatures that may communicate in radically unfamiliar ways.
—Sonia Shah, New York Times, 20 Sep. 2023
Slowly, a picture began to emerge: Animals who were closer together on the phylogenetic tree tended to perform similarly well in the experiments.
—Max G. Levy, Wired, 25 Jan. 2022
So from a phylogenetic standpoint, birds are reptiles.
—USA TODAY, 30 May 2023
Similar to a family tree, a phylogenetic tree is a diagram that uses lines to show the evolutionary relationships between species in relation to a common ancestor.
—William A. Haseltine, Forbes, 3 Jan. 2022
After performing an phylogenetic analysis, Kammerer concluded that Bulbasaurus was an early ancestor of a family of dicynodonts called geikiids, which are known for their flashy, keratinous noses.
—Ian Graber-Stiehl, Discover Magazine, 10 Feb. 2017
Through phylogenetic analysis — evaluating the evolutionary pathways of how new species take shape — the scientists could then determine how such changes might be linked to increases in body size.
—Mindy Weisberger, CNN, 11 May 2023
Grrlscientist, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2024
As more mosasaur fossils are discovered and as our knowledge of these creatures expands, the team expects Jorgie’s place in the phylogenetic tree may shift.
—Jeanne Timmons, Ars Technica, 30 Oct. 2023
The search for the components of language in nonhuman animals now extends to the far reaches of our phylogenetic tree, encompassing creatures that may communicate in radically unfamiliar ways.
—Sonia Shah, New York Times, 20 Sep. 2023
Slowly, a picture began to emerge: Animals who were closer together on the phylogenetic tree tended to perform similarly well in the experiments.
—Max G. Levy, Wired, 25 Jan. 2022
So from a phylogenetic standpoint, birds are reptiles.
—USA TODAY, 30 May 2023
Similar to a family tree, a phylogenetic tree is a diagram that uses lines to show the evolutionary relationships between species in relation to a common ancestor.
—William A. Haseltine, Forbes, 3 Jan. 2022
After performing an phylogenetic analysis, Kammerer concluded that Bulbasaurus was an early ancestor of a family of dicynodonts called geikiids, which are known for their flashy, keratinous noses.
—Ian Graber-Stiehl, Discover Magazine, 10 Feb. 2017
Through phylogenetic analysis — evaluating the evolutionary pathways of how new species take shape — the scientists could then determine how such changes might be linked to increases in body size.
—Mindy Weisberger, CNN, 11 May 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'phylogenetic.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near phylogenetic
Cite this Entry
“Phylogenetic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/phylogenetic. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
phylogenetic
adjective
phy·lo·ge·net·ic
ˌfī-lō-jə-ˈnet-ik
1
: of or relating to phylogeny
2
: based on natural evolutionary relationships
3
: acquired in the course of phylogenetic development
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