Caenogenetic

/ˌsiːnoʊdʒəˈnɛtɪk/ adjective

Definition

Relating to or produced by caenogenesis; describing an organism or characteristic that arose recently rather than being inherited from distant ancestors.

Etymology

From caenogenesis + -ic suffix, forming an adjective. Used in evolutionary biology to describe novel traits and developments.

Kelly Says

The prefix 'caeno-' (new) appears in many biological terms to identify things that came recently in evolutionary time—it's like biology's way of saying 'this is a newer model!'

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