phylogenomic
FY-loh-jeh-NAH-mik
Definition
Relating to the field of biology that uses genome-scale data to study evolutionary history and relationships between species.
Etymology
The word is a hybrid construction combining the Greek 'phylon' (tribe or race) and 'genome' (the complete set of genetic material in an organism), first appearing in scientific literature during the late 20th century to describe the integration of genomics into phylogenetic studies.
In the news
In the context of hybridization research, the term describes the analytical methods used to reconstruct evolutionary pathways and identify gene flow between interbreeding lineages. It is critical here for understanding the genetic legacy left by hybridization events throughout history.
Genetics and genomics of hybridization
Read the full article ↗Nature