Phylogeny

A model of how organisms are related by their evolutionary history, based on the fact that all living things are related by common descent. Phylogeny is based on paleontology, comparative anatomy, and genetic analysis. The main product of phylogenetics is a phylogenetic tree or “tree of life”. This is a diagram showing a pattern of ancestor/descendent relationships.

Below, on the left is a tree that shows the relationships of primates. On the right, a phylogenetic tree shows the evolution of the five vertebrate Opsin Classes (and the animal families that currently express them).