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A taxon that diverged before the lineage that contains the group you are studying. This taxon will not share the trait that defines the group being studied. This is different than a basal taxon which is part of the group being studied.
The outgroup will be closely related to the group being studied, but not as closely related to any group members as the group members are related to themselves.
In the diagram at left, if you were studying the vertebrate group, the stick insect would be the outgroup.
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