What is another word for common descent?

Pronunciation: [kˈɒmən dɪsˈɛnt] (IPA)

Common descent is the concept that all living organisms share a common ancestry. However, there are various synonyms that can be used to describe this relationship. Evolutionary biologists often reference terms such as phylogenetic relationships, evolutionary history, or genealogical connection. The term "lineage" can also refer to organisms that share a common ancestor, and "evolutionary lineage" describes the evolutionary changes that have occurred within that lineage. Some scientists also use the term "descent with modification" to refer to the gradual changes that occur across generations. Overall, there are many ways to describe common descent, but all of these terms underscore the fundamental principle that all living organisms are connected through a shared history of evolution.

Famous quotes with Common descent

  • Deconstructing the concept of race not only conflicts with people's tendency to classify and build family histories according to common descent but also ignores the work of biologists studying non-human species.
    J. Philippe Rushton
  • All life on earth - everything from bacteria to mushrooms to hippos - shares an astonishing range of detailed biochemical similarities, including the structure of heredity in DNA and RNA, and the universal use of ATP as an energy-storing compound. Two possible scenarios, with markedly different implications for the nature of life, might explain these regularities: either all earthly life shares these features because no other chemistry can work, or these similarities only record the common descent of all organisms on earth from a single origin that happened to feature this chemistry as one possibility among many.
    Stephen Jay Gould

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