polyphylesis Biol.
(ˌpɒlɪfaɪˈliːsɪs)
[Back-formation f. polyphyletic a., after genesis.]
The polyphyletic development of a species or other taxon. Also polyˈphyletism.
| 1897 Amer. Naturalist XXXI. 281 Reinke..labors constantly under the delusion that those who contend for the distribution of the lichens, deny their polyphylesis. 1905 F. E. Clements Res. Methods Ecol. iv. 232 All have ignored the fact that the polyphylesis of genera carries with it the admission of such origin for species. 1926 Jrnl. Bot. LXIV. 119 The difficulties which arise from polyphylesis complicate the problem. 1951 G. H. M. Lawrence Taxon. Vascular Plants vii. 164 Polyphylesis is the situation represented by a polyphyletic origin. 1969 Biol. Rev. XLIV. 576 The appearance of bifid and trifid lobed forms [of ammonoids]..with the shell sculpture were seen as evidence of polyphyletism. 1978 BioSystems X. 82/1 This paradox may be due to polyphyletism within the chytrids. |