<P> Cladistics ( / kləˈdɪstɪks / , from Greek κλάδος , cládos , `` branch '' ) is an approach to biological classification in which organisms are categorized in groups ( `` clades '' ) based on the most recent common ancestor . Hypothesized relationships are typically based on shared derived characteristics ( synapomorphies ) that can be traced to the most recent common ancestor and are not present in more distant groups and ancestors . A key feature of a clade is that all descendants stay in their overarching ancestral clade . For example , if within a cladistic framework the terms monkeys / anthropoidea , animals , fishes / vertebrata and worms / bilateria would be used , these terms would include humans . Radiation results in the generation of new subclades by bifurcation . </P>
<P> Cladistics ( / kləˈdɪstɪks / , from Greek κλάδος , cládos , `` branch '' ) is an approach to biological classification in which organisms are categorized in groups ( `` clades '' ) based on the most recent common ancestor . Hypothesized relationships are typically based on shared derived characteristics ( synapomorphies ) that can be traced to the most recent common ancestor and are not present in more distant groups and ancestors . A key feature of a clade is that all descendants stay in their overarching ancestral clade . For example , if within a cladistic framework the terms monkeys / anthropoidea , animals , fishes / vertebrata and worms / bilateria would be used , these terms would include humans . Radiation results in the generation of new subclades by bifurcation . </P>
the kind of analysis that focuses on the evolution of derived characteristics
the kind of analysis that focuses on the evolution of derived characteristics
Cladistics
Cladistics