adverb
- in a manner relating to or based on phylogeny; with respect to evolutionary development and descent of organisms
Usage: technical; biology
Examples
- The two species are phyletically related, sharing a common ancestor millions of years ago.
- Phyletically speaking, birds are considered modern descendants of theropod dinosaurs.
- The researchers arranged the organisms phyletically to show their evolutionary relationships.
- These structures are phyletically homologous, indicating they evolved from the same ancestral form.
- The classification system organizes animals phyletically based on genetic and fossil evidence.