👉 Polyphyletically refers to a system in which different species or groups of species are grouped together based on their evolutionary history and shared ancestry, rather than their distinct biological characteristics. This approach allows researchers to understand the relationships between diverse organisms through their common ancestors. In ecology and evolutionary biology, polyphyletically defined groups often serve as a framework for understanding ecological interactions and can provide insights into the evolution of species over time. For example, in the study of fish populations, researchers might group
