What is claddistics?

Answer 1

Cladistics is a method of classifying organisms based on shared derived characteristics, known as synapomorphies, to establish evolutionary relationships. It organizes species into groups called clades, which include an ancestor and all its descendants, reflecting the branching patterns of evolution. This approach contrasts with traditional taxonomy, which may rely more on morphological similarities rather than evolutionary lineage. Cladistics aims to create a more accurate representation of the evolutionary history of life.