symplesiomorphicadj.
/sɪmˌpliːzɪə(ʊ)ˈmɔːfɪk/, U.S. /sɪmˌplisiəˈmɔrfɪk/ Taxonomy.
Of the nature of a symplesiomorphy.
ΚΠ
1964 Current Anthopol. 5 30 To that end he uses exclusively symplesiomorphic characters, which are unsuitable for the delimitation of a natural taxon or phylon.
2000 C. Tudge Variety of Life ii. xvii. 410 Because this character is symplesiomorphic for Reptilia as a whole, it cannot define the subclass.
2002 S. J. Gould Struct. Evolutionary Theory vii. 560 Devonian fishes already possessed lungs, for the trait is symplesiomorphic in tetrapods and their aquatic ancestors.
This is a new entry (OED Third Edition, December 2005; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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adj.1964