autapomorphy

English

Etymology

From aut- +‎ apomorphy.

Noun

autapomorphy (plural autapomorphies)

1. (cladistics) A derived trait that is unique to a particular taxon
   • 2023, Wolfgang Denzer, Hinrich Kaiser, “Naming And Gaming: The Illicit Taxonomic Practice Of 'Nomenclatural Harvesting' And How To Avoid It”, in Journal of Zoology, volume 320, number 3, page 164:

     In their article, these authors gave a full description of the specimen and concluded that the species was not only lacking several characteristics typical for the genus Gonocephalus but presented additional characters that would justify the removal of G. mjobergi from Gonocephalus.They abstained from naming a new genus based on autapomorphies, given that this would be of no phylogenetic relevance and limited taxonomic use, and deferred a decision until more material became available for study.

Derived terms

• autapomorphic

See also

• synapomorphy