phylogenetic species concept

Species concept based on the evolutionary relationships among organisms, specifically using common ancestry and shared evolutionary history to define species.

Under this concept a species is essentially the smallest group of organisms that share a common ancestor and can be distinguished from other such groups via phylogenetic analyses.

Each such grouping constitutes a distinct branch on an evolutionary tree. Subspecies tend not to be recognised and it is generally less restrictive than the biological species concept.

Often abbreviated to PSC.