apical ancestor
An "apical ancestor" is the earliest common ancestor at the top of a genealogical or phylogenetic tree from whom a group traces its descent.
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Definition
C1Genealogy
(academic, historical)The earliest known ancestor from whom a family or lineage is directly descended.
Example
- In our family tree, the apical ancestor is traced back to the 16th century.
- Genealogists often seek to identify the apical ancestor to understand the origins of a family.
C1Anthropology
(academic)The most ancient ancestor considered the founding individual of a clan or lineage, which may be real, fictional, or symbolic.
Example
- Many indigenous clans have an apical ancestor who is often a mythical figure.
- The tribe traces its heritage back to an apical ancestor depicted in their folklore.
C2Biology
(technical, scientific)The most recent common ancestor of all individuals or organisms in a particular group, such as a species or genus.
Example
- The apical ancestor of this species lived millions of years ago.
- Biologists study the apical ancestor to understand the evolutionary history of the genus.