[kleyd] 
| a taxonomic group of organisms classified together on the basis of homologous features traced to a common ancestor. |
| clade (klād) n. A group of organisms, such as a species, whose members share homologous features derived from a common ancestor. [From Greek klados, branch.] |
| clade (klād) Pronunciation Key
A grouping of organisms made on the basis of phylogenetic relationship, rather than purely on shared features. Clades consist of a common ancestor and all its descendants. The class Aves (birds) is a clade, whereas the class Reptilia (reptiles) is not, since it does not include birds, which are descended from the dinosaurs, a kind of reptile. Many modern taxonomists prefer to use clades in classification, and not all clades correspond to traditional groups like classes, orders, and phyla. Compare grade. |