Definition of "paraphyletic" []

• Said of a defined group constrained within a clade without including all descendants of the most common ancestor. (adjective)

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• "The genus Calidris is paraphyletic, meaning that the birds in this group resemble each other closely despite not being close relatives - a stunning example of convergent evolution that anyone can see for themselves whilst walking along the beaches."
• "As already mentioned, the old Linnaean classification "Reptiles" is paraphyletic."
• "The old Linnaean classification "Reptiles" is paraphyletic."