Camel Spider Zoology (Colorado)
An autapomorphic trait is one that is found in one and only group. Wikipedia gives the following definition: an autapomorphy is a distinctive anatomical feature, known as a derived trait, that is unique to a given terminal group.
The autapomorphic species concept is one of 26 ways scientists have used to distinguish species from each other.
Examples[]
Autapomorphy has been applied to studies of human evolution where Kennedy (1991) found that on this basis of discrimination Homo erectus could not be considered a distinct species.
Paleotologists will use autapomorphic traits to help identify new species found through fossil discovery.
References[]
Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autapomorphy
http://ncse.com/evolution/science/species-concepts-modern-literature
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5I4cC3SzZgc
Farke, A. A., & Sertich, J. W. (2013). An Abelisauroid Theropod Dinosaur from the Turonian of Madagascar.Plos ONE, 8(4), 1-18. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0062047
Kennedy, G.E., (1991). On the autapomorphic traits of Homo erectus. Journal Of Human Evolution, 20, 375-412. doi:10.1016/0047-2484(91)90006-H