Willi Hennig (paleontologist)

Willi Hennig was a German paleontologist and biologist best known for developing phylogenetic systematics, often called cladistics. This method groups organisms based on shared, derived characteristics to reconstruct evolutionary relationships. Instead of just classifying animals by appearance or similarity, Hennig’s approach shows how different species are related through common ancestors, providing a clearer picture of evolutionary history. His work transformed how scientists understand the connections among prehistoric and living organisms, emphasizing evidence from fossils and traits to build a more accurate "family tree" of life.