Differentiate between monophyletic and paraphyletic.

Monophyletic refers to a group of organisms that includes all descendants of a common ancestor, as well as the ancestor itself. This group forms a single, cohesive evolutionary lineage. Paraphyletic, on the other hand, refers to a group of organisms that includes a common ancestor and some, but not all, of its descendants. This group does not include all of the descendants of the common ancestor and is therefore not considered a complete evolutionary lineage.

Monophyletic

- A monophyletic group includes an ancestral species and all of its descendants.
- All members of the group share a common ancestor that is exclusive to the group.
- It can be represented by a cladogram that branches off from a single ancestral node.

Paraphyletic

- A paraphyletic group includes an ancestral species and some, but not all, of its descendants.
- It excludes some descendants of the common ancestor, forming a polyphyletic group.
- It can be represented by a cladogram that has multiple branches stemming from a common ancestral node, but some branches do not include all descendants.

Key Differences

| Feature | Monophyletic | Paraphyletic |
|---|---|---|
| Ancestry | Includes all descendants of an ancestor | Includes some, but not all, descendants of an ancestor |
| Exclusion | Forms a group with no members outside the group | Includes descendants that may also be included in other groups |
| Cladogram | Branches off from a single ancestral node | Has multiple branches stemming from a common ancestral node, with some branches not including all descendants |