synapomorphic, a. Taxon.
Brit. /sɪˌnapəˈmɔːfik/, U.S. /səˌnæpəˈmɔrfɪk/
[‹ syn- prefix + apomorphic adj. Compare slightly later synapomorphous adj.]
Designating or relating to a character or trait which is found only (in a more or less modified form) in a particular group (clade) of organisms and is held to derive from a single character in their most recent common ancestor.
| 1964 Current Anthropol. 5 30/1 The Neanderthal group can be sharply defined today with the aid of synapomorphic characters. 1990 Jrnl. Zool. 220 193 The cerebral gland is a diagnostic and synapomorphic character of the Pulmonata. 1997 G. S. Helfman et al. Diversity of Fishes xiv. 223/1 The primary shared derived (synapomorphic) characters that unite the teleosts involve numerous bones of the tail and skull. |