a method of grouping animals that makes use of lines of descent rather than structural similarities
Derived forms
cladism (ˈklædɪzəm)
noun
cladist (ˈklædɪst)
noun
Word origin
C20: New Latin, from Greek klādos branch, shoot
cladistics in American English
(kləˈdɪstɪks)
noun
a method of classifying living organisms, often using computer techniques, based on the relationships between phylogenetic branching patterns from a common ancestor