The evolutionary development and diversification of a life-form
or taxonomic group of organisms (e.g. species,
populations), or of a particular feature of an organism.
Phylogeny relates to genetic development of a species during
evolution, while Ontogeny relates to physiological (and
psychological) development of an individual during his / her
lifetime.
Phylogenesis: long-term time
scale. Ontogenesis: short-term
time scale.
Linguistic derivation
The term Phylogenesis is derived from the
ancient Greek
words phylé (φυλή) and phulon (φῦλον), meaning
"tribe", "clan", or "race", plus the term genesis
(γένεσις) meaning "origin", "source", or
"birth".
In Phylogeny, the
suffix -geny also expresses the concept of "mode of
production".