This module provides a brief introduction to the philosophy, methodology, and implications of cladistic analysis. Each of these terms can be clicked on for a brief definition. After you've read through the pages on the implications and methodologies, you will be armed in the ways of cladistics. Therefore, if you dare, you can take a journey into the real world of cladistics. Synapomorphies are the basis for cladistics.
Cladistics is a particular method of hypothesizing relationships among organisms.
Like other methods, it has its own set of assumptions, procedures, and limitations. Cladistics is now accepted as the best method available for phylogenetic analysis, for it provides an explicit and testable hypothesis of organismal relationships. These groups are recognized by sharing unique features which were not present in distant ancestors. These shared derived characteristics are called synapomorphies . Note that it is not enough for organisms to share characteristics, in fact two organisms may share a great many characteristics and not be considered members of the same group.