What is a lineage in evolutionary biology?

A lineage in evolutionary biology refers to a sequence of species that are connected through common ancestry. This concept highlights the relationships and evolutionary paths taken by different species as they diverge from a common ancestor over time. Each branching point in this lineage represents evolutionary events such as speciation, where one species splits into two or more different species.

Lineages are often represented in phylogenetic trees, which visually depict the evolutionary relationships and the historical sequence through which species have evolved. This sequential understanding is crucial for studying evolutionary processes and biodiversity, as it allows scientists to trace how traits and characteristics have evolved in various species over time.

In contrast, a type of mutation focuses on genetic changes within an organism and does not encompass the broader context of evolutionary relationships. Natural selection is an evolutionary mechanism that explains how certain traits become more or less common in a population, while a geographical grouping of species pertains to their physical distribution rather than their evolutionary connections.