symplesiomorphic, a. Taxon.
Brit. /sɪmˌpliːzɪə(ʊ)ˈmɔːfɪk/, U.S. /sɪmˌplisiəˈmɔrfɪk/
[‹ sym- prefix + plesio- comb. form + -morphic comb. form, after symplesiomorphy n.]
Of the nature of a symplesiomorphy.
| 1964 Current Anthopol. 5 30 To that end he uses exclusively symplesiomorphic characters, which are unsuitable for the delimitation of a natural taxon or phylon. 2000 C. Tudge Variety of Life ii. xvii. 410 Because this character is symplesiomorphic for Reptilia as a whole, it cannot define the subclass. 2002 S.J. Gould Struct. Evolutionary Theory vii. 560 Devonian fishes already possessed lungs, for the trait is symplesiomorphic in tetrapods and their aquatic ancestors. |