In: Biology
Apomorphy is a homologous derived character differing from the ancestral condition.
Apomorphy can simply be defined as derived trait or character state that is distinct to a particular species or group in a phylogenetic tree down to its descendants.eg: the possession of feathers is unique to birds and defines all members of the class Aves.
Homologous characters are characters in different organisms that are similar because they were inherited from a common ancestor that also had that character.
Plesiomorphy is an ancestral or primitive traits that are homologous to a certain group of organisms but not unique to the other members of the group, hence cannot be used as a diagnostic character for the group. eg: reptiles are exothermic, they do not maintain a constant internal body temperature. They have this characteristic because the ancestor of all reptiles was exothermic.