phylogenetic evidence phylogenetic distribution evidence A type of phylogenetic evidence characterized by the mapping of the character states of living organisms onto phylogenies using the method of maximum parsimony. eco 2014-04-22T17:02:31Z ECO:0000355 mchibucos Example of use: "The presence of paired evaginated hemispheres and olfactory bulbs in both agnathan and gnathostome radiations suggests that such hemispheres were also present in the common ancestor." PMID:7013637. Northcutt RG. (1981) Evolution of the telencephalon in nonmammals. Ann. Rev. Neurosci.