monophyletic

[Gr. monos alone, single, and phyle =a tribe, a family.] Of or pertaining to a single family. monophyletic hypothesis, s. Biol .: The hypothesis of descent which endeavors to trace the origin of all individual groups of organisms to a single common species of Moneron, which originated by spontaneous generation. It is opposed to Polyphyletic (q. v.). "I consider it best in the meantime to adopt the monophyletic hypothesis of descent both for the animal and vegetable kingdom."- Haeckel : Hist. Creation, ii. 46. mỗ-noph-1-lous, a . [Gr. mono phyllos : from monos alone, single, and phyllon =a leaf.] Bot .: Having only one leaf; formed of one leaf; gamophyllous, symphyllous.