Which term describes the study of the evolutionary history of organisms?

The study of the evolutionary history of organisms is accurately described by phylogenetics. This field specifically focuses on the relationships among various biological species or entities that are derived from a common ancestor. Phylogenetics employs various methods, such as analyzing genetic data and morphological characteristics, to construct evolutionary trees, known as phylogenetic trees or cladograms, which visually represent these relationships and historical connections.

In contrast, genomics is concerned with the comprehensive study of an organism's entire genome, including the structure, function, evolution, and mapping of genes. Biogeography deals with the distribution of species and ecosystems across geographical locations and over time, examining how these distributions relate to historical and environmental factors. Ecology studies the interactions between organisms and their environment, focusing on ecosystems, populations, and communities, rather than the evolutionary history of specific organisms. Therefore, the term that best encompasses the study of the evolutionary history of organisms is phylogenetics.