Common descent
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| - | '''Scientific classification''' or '''biological classification''' is a method by which [[biologist]]s group and categorize [[species]] of [[organism]]s. Scientific classification can also be called scientific taxonomy, but should be distinguished from [[folk taxonomy]], which lacks scientific basis. Modern classification has its root in the work of [[Carolus Linnaeus]], who grouped species according to shared physical characteristics. These groupings have since been revised to improve consistency with the [[Charles Darwin|Darwinian]] principle of [[common descent]]. [[Molecular systematics]], which uses [[DNA sequences]] as data, has driven many recent revisions and is likely to continue to do so. Scientific classification belongs to the science of [[taxonomy]] or [[systematics|biological systematics]]. | + | |
| + | A group of organisms is said to have '''common descent''' if they have a common [[ancestor]]. In modern [[biology]], it is generally accepted that all living [[organism]]s on [[Earth]] are descended from a common ancestor or ancestral gene pool. | ||
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| + | A theory of '''universal common descent''' based on [[evolution]]ary principles was proposed by [[Charles Darwin]] in his book ''[[On the Origin of Species]]'' (1859), and later in ''[[The Descent of Man and Selection in Relation to Sex|The Descent of Man]]'' (1871). | ||
| + | This theory is now generally accepted by biologists, and the [[last universal ancestor|last universal common ancestor]] (LUCA or LUA), that is, the [[most recent common ancestor]] of all currently living organisms, is believed to have appeared about [[Timeline of evolution|3.9 billion years ago]]. The theory of a common ancestor between all organisms is one of the principles of evolution, although for [[single cell organism]]s and [[virus]]es, single [[phylogeny]] is disputed (see: [[origin of life]]). | ||
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A group of organisms is said to have common descent if they have a common ancestor. In modern biology, it is generally accepted that all living organisms on Earth are descended from a common ancestor or ancestral gene pool.
A theory of universal common descent based on evolutionary principles was proposed by Charles Darwin in his book On the Origin of Species (1859), and later in The Descent of Man (1871).
This theory is now generally accepted by biologists, and the last universal common ancestor (LUCA or LUA), that is, the most recent common ancestor of all currently living organisms, is believed to have appeared about 3.9 billion years ago. The theory of a common ancestor between all organisms is one of the principles of evolution, although for single cell organisms and viruses, single phylogeny is disputed (see: origin of life).
