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A phylogenetic tree is a tree that maps out how closely related different organisms are. From a phylogenetic tree we can see the evolutionary history of an organism. These trees help us explain why two organisms have similar characteristics. Here we have two trees following the a group of mythological creatures.

This tree shows what we call a monophyletic group, which means all the descendants of a common ancestor are shown. Each yellow dot represents a common ancestor. The common ancestor furthest to the left is the common ancestor of all the species seen. Because this ancestor does not have any descendants that are not shown the group is monophyletic. 

This tree shows has a highlighted section that is what we call a paraphyletic group. A paraphyletic group does not show all of the descendants from a common ancestor. The highlighted area does not include the centaur, satyr, minotaur, pegasus, hydra, or griffon. These creatures are also descendants of the common ancestor furthest to the left. Because the highlighted branch does not include these creatures it is considered a paraphyletic group.