Derived Character
Derived character explained in an easy to understand way:
Imagine you're trying to update your wardrobe to keep up with the latest fashion trends that your older siblings never followed. This is similar to how a species might develop a new trait that its ancestors did not possess, like a unique feather color or a specialized beak shape. Just as your new clothes set you apart from your siblings by incorporating modern styles they never wore, a derived character sets a species apart by introducing features that were not present in its ancestral lineage.
Practice Version
Derived Character: A feature of a species its ancestors did not have derived character. A derived character is a trait that has evolved in a species or group, distinguishing it from its ancestors.