Phylogeny
/faɪˈlɒdʒəni/noun
The evolutionary history and relationships of a species, group, or other biological lineage.
Did you know?German zoologist Ernst Haeckel introduced the term in 1866 and controversially argued that an organism’s development replayed its evolutionary history—a claim now recognized as an oversimplification.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*bʰuH-
“To be, come into being, or grow”
Ancient Greek
Greek
phýein
“To grow, produce, or bring forth”
Ancient Greek
Greek
phûlon
“A tribe, race, or natural group”
Ancient Greek
Greek
-genḗs / génesis
“Born from; origin or coming into being”
1866
German
Phylogenie
“Evolutionary history or development of a lineage, coined by Ernst Haeckel”
Modern English
English
phylogeny
“The evolutionary history and relationships of a biological group”