Autapomorphy in the context of "Entomology"

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⭐ Core Definition: Autapomorphy

In phylogenetics, an autapomorphy is a distinctive feature, known as a derived trait, that is unique to a given taxon. That is, it is found only in one taxon, but not found in any others or outgroup taxa, not even those most closely related to the focal taxon (which may be a species, family or in general any clade). It can therefore be considered as an apomorphy in relation to a single taxon. The word autapomorphy, introduced in 1950 by German entomologist Willi Hennig, is derived from the Ancient Greek words αὐτός (autós), meaning "self"; ἀπό (apó), meaning "away from"; and μορφή (morphḗ), meaning "shape, form".

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Autapomorphy in the context of Catfish

Catfish (or catfishes; order Siluriformes /sɪˈljʊərɪfɔːrmz/ or Nematognathi) are a diverse group of ray-finned fish. Catfish are named for their prominent barbels, which resemble a cat's whiskers, though not all catfish have prominent barbels. All siluriformes lack scales, including both the armour-plated and naked species. This order of fish are defined by features of the skull and swimbladder. Catfish range in size and behavior from the three largest species alive, the Mekong giant catfish from Southeast Asia, the wels catfish of Eurasia, and the piraíba of South America, to detritivorous and scavenging bottom feeders, down to the tiny ectoparasitic species known as the candiru.

In the Southern United States, catfish may be known by a variety of slang names, such as "mud cat", "polliwogs", or "chuckleheads". Such names are regional and unstandardized. For instance, "chucklehead" in one region may refer to a bullhead catfish but indicate blue catfish elsewhere.

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Autapomorphy in the context of Coralline algae

Coralline algae are red algae in the order Corallinales, characterized by a thallus containing calcareous deposits within its cell walls, giving it hardness. The colors of these algae are typically some hue of pink, or another shade of red, but some species can be purple, yellow, blue, white, or gray-green. Typically, these algae grow in a crustose manner (encrusting rocks and other hardscape); in the intertidal zone of rocky shorelines, and within coral reefs, these algae appear as an abundance of colorful patches on rock surfaces. Unattached specimens (maerl, rhodoliths) may form relatively smooth compact balls, or forming warty to fruticose thalli.

The red algae belong to the division Rhodophyta, within which the coralline algae form the order Corallinales. There are over 1600 described species of nongeniculate coralline algae. The corallines are presently grouped into two families on the basis of their reproductive structures. Most are marine, though one species lives in freshwater; Pneophyllum cetinaensis.

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Autapomorphy in the context of Flatfish

Flatfish are a group of ray-finned fish belonging to the suborder Pleuronectoidei and historically the order Pleuronectiformes (though this is now disputed). Their collective common name is due to their habit of lying on one side of their laterally-compressed body (flattened side-to-side) upon the seafloor; in this position, both eyes lie on the side of the head facing upwards, while the other side of the head and body (the "blind side") lies on the substrate. This loss of symmetry, a unique adaptation in vertebrates, stems from one eye "migrating" towards the other during the juvenile's metamorphosis; due to variation, some species tend to face their left side upward, some their right side, and others face either side upward. Pleuronectidae lie on their left side, with eyes on the right. Paralichthyidae lie on their right side, with eyes on the left.

They are one of the most speciose groups of demersal fish. Their cryptic coloration and habits, a form of camouflage, conceals them from potential predators.

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Autapomorphy in the context of Cyclothone

Cyclothone is a genus containing 13 extant species of bioluminescent fish, commonly known as 'bristlemouths' or 'bristlefishes' due to their shared characteristic of sharp, bristle-like teeth. These fishes typically grow to around 1–3 inches (25–76 mm), though some can be larger. These deep-sea fish are most commonly found in the mesopelagic zone of the ocean, mostly at depths of over 300 meters (1,000 feet), and many species have bioluminescence.

Cyclothone is believed to be the most abundant fish genus on Earth, with estimates that there are up to a quadrillion individuals (10, or one million billion in the short scale) within the current global population. They are so abundant that they are also believed to be the most abundant genus of vertebrate on earth.

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