Term:
Character
Character
Definition:
A morphological, anatomical, or molecular feature of an organism that helps distinguish a taxon from other taxa.
A morphological, anatomical, or molecular feature of an organism that helps distinguish a taxon from other taxa.
Notes:
An example of a character is the type of symmetry in neotropical Lecyhtidaceae. Within this character are three character states: actinomorphic, oblique zygmorophic, and zygomorphic. For more information see the specialized glossary of Lecythidaceae on the home page of this glossrary. Morphological phylogenetic studies are based on a matrix of characters and their character states.
An example of a character is the type of symmetry in neotropical Lecyhtidaceae. Within this character are three character states: actinomorphic, oblique zygmorophic, and zygomorphic. For more information see the specialized glossary of Lecythidaceae on the home page of this glossrary. Morphological phylogenetic studies are based on a matrix of characters and their character states.