A classification method grouping organisms by shared derived characteristics into clades.
Clades are groups sharing a common ancestor and all its descendants. Characters are polarised using an outgroup; shared derived characters (synapomorphies) define clades and shared ancestral traits do not. Parsimony prefers the tree needing the fewest changes.
Birds are a clade within dinosaurs.
A classification method grouping organisms by shared derived characteristics into clades.
Cladistics is one of the 53 topics in Evolution. It is rated Intermediate, so it suits learners who already know the core vocabulary. Related topics in this area include Natural Selection, Evolution, Divergent Evolution.
'reptiles' excluding birds is paraphyletic.
Work through the Beginner topics in Evolution first, such as Evolution, Natural Selection, Charles Darwin, then return to Cladistics. Intermediate topics assume the Beginner vocabulary.
The closest topics to Cladistics are Natural Selection, Evolution, Divergent Evolution, Artificial Selection. Comparing them side by side is a good way to see how the ideas connect.
Read the summary and the in-depth section, then use the quick check on the interactive lesson for Cladistics. To practise the whole of Evolution, use the Evolution quiz.
Cladistics: A classification method grouping organisms by shared derived characteristics into clades. Natural Selection: Individuals with traits better suited to their environment survive and reproduce more, passing those traits on. Read both side by side and note what each one explains.
First, read the summary and write the definition in your own words. Second, read the in-depth section and note any example. Third, compare it with Natural Selection and explain the difference aloud. Finally, take the Evolution quiz and come back to this page for any question you miss.
Individuals with traits better suited to their environment survive and reproduce more, passing those traits on.
🦎 EvolutionChange in the inherited characteristics of populations over successive generations.
🦎 EvolutionRelated species become increasingly different as they adapt to separate environments.
🦎 EvolutionHumans breed organisms with desired traits, creating crops and dog breeds from wild ancestors.
🦎 Evolution