What is the term for the most recent species from which two or more different species have evolved?

The term for the most recent species from which two or more different species have evolved is known as a common ancestor. This concept is central to the field of evolutionary biology, which studies the relationships and divergence of species over time.

A common ancestor refers to a species that is an ancestor to multiple descendant species. The idea is grounded in the principles of descent with modification, where species that share a more recent common ancestor are more closely related to each other than to those that diverged from an earlier ancestor. This genetic lineage is explored through phylogenetic trees, which illustrate the evolutionary relationships among various organisms.

In contrast, the other terms presented are not used in the same way in evolutionary contexts. While "evolutionary link" may refer to connections among various species, it does not specifically denote the most recent common ancestor. "Genetic predecessor" is not a formal term recognized in evolutionary biology for describing common ancestry. "Phylogenetic root" refers more broadly to the starting point of a phylogenetic tree rather than to the most recent species common to diverging lines, making it an inadequate descriptor for this concept.

Understanding common ancestry is crucial in studying the evolution of species and their traits, as it provides insight into how diversity arises within line