Trend To Review
EDUCATION

Synapomorphy vs Symplesiomorphy: Meaning And Examples

Synapomorphy vs Symplesiomorphy

If you’re confused about the term Synapomorphy and Symplesiomorphy, you don’t have to worry. In this guide, we will elaborate on these two terms, also discuss Synapomorphy vs Symplesiomorphy to make the description more clear.

To know the difference between synapomorphy and symplesiomorphy, you need to first understand the meaning of both terms. So let’s start with the meaning of synapomorphy and symplesiomorphy.

What is Synapomorphy?

The term comes from the Greek word where “Syn” means shared, “Apo” means away from and “Morphy” means to form or shape. Simply put, animals share their form or shape as they move away from their ancestors (mother) and related groups. Thus, Synapomorphy helps scientists to determine that separated animals are related to which group of ancestors. Animals that share the same Synapomorphy will likely share the same ancestors. In case, group of organisms shares more than one synapomorphy, it is more clear that they are related. Synapomorphy is also known as Homology. 

Synapomorphy Definition-

A synapomorphy is a shared and derived character that is common between its ancestors and descendants. A character or trait is something that can be observed about the organism. It may be the size of the organism, type of skin, or things like eye color, or DNA. 

Examples of Synapomorphy

Mammals are an excellent example of synapomorphy. They share the synapomorphy of being produced milk. Milk is the nutritive substance that is extracted from the mother’s body and fed to the babies. Whereas the examples of mammals are contradictory. It excluded several mammals from the group such as Platypus that lays eggs but feed their milk to babies 

Another example of Synapomorphy in Vertebrates. They share a single trait called vertebrae. All vertebrate organisms share this trait with a common ancestor, they may differ in many other ways. Synapomorphy is one just clue of animals’ relationship otherwise the size, shape, a number of vertebrae can change depending on the organism. 

What is Symplesiomorphy?

Symplesiomorphy term is first introduced by the German Scientist- Will Hennig. The use of the term symplesiomorphy is very narrow when it comes to deciding the difference among the different groups and how they relate to each other. 

Symplesiomorphy Definition- 

The term Symplesiomorphy refers to the ancestral character or trait shared by two or more taxa. In other words, symplesiomorphy is a characteristic property that is presented and developed by different groups of organisms. 

Examples of Symplesiomorphy 

An example of symplesiomorphy is quadrupedalism or the animals that can walk on four legs. Since this is an ancestral trait exhibited by reptiles, amphibians, and other taxa, symplesiomorphy for mammals. 

Let’s know the difference between Synapomorphy and Symplesiomorphy

Synapomorphy vs Symplesiomorphy

We will differentiate Synapomorphy and Symplesiomorphy on the basis of a few factors such as Definition, Evolution history, and Examples. 

Definition

Synapomorphy refers to a characteristic present in the ancestors of the animals and shared by its evolutionary descendants. Whereas Symplesiomorphy refers to an ancestral character shared by two or more taxa. This is the major difference between Synapomorphy and Symplesiomorphy.

Evolution history

Synapomorphy describes a derived character whereas Symplesiomorphy describes the ancestral character which is another important difference between both terms. Synapomorphy can be observed by the size of the organism, type of skin, or things like eye color, or DNA but Symplesiomorphy can be observed by ancestral character only. 

Sharing With the Ancestors

Another difference between Synapomorphy and Symplesiomorphy is that in Synapomorphy, the character is shared by the most recent common ancestors while in Symplesiomorphy, the character is shared by the earliest common ancestor. 

Last Words

Both Synapomorphy and Symplesiomorphy are a type of character shared by two or more taxa, but the common difference is the character in Synapomorphy present in their recent common ancestor. Symplesiomorphy, significantly, is shared with the earliest common ancestor of the taxa. Hence the main difference between Synapomorphy and Symplesiomorphy is the sharing the character with ancestor taxa. 

So from today onwards, wherever you come across the term Synapomorphy and Symplesiomorphy, you will be very clear about it and as you know the basic points of Synapomorphy vs Symplesiomorphy. 

Related posts

5 Things You Should Stop Doing When You Write an Essay

Shahid Mushtaq

Computer Science Vs Computer Engineering| Full Details

Shipra

Books To Read In Your 20s: You Should Give It A Try

Abhinav Singh

Leave a Comment