homoplasy

(noun)

A correspondence between the parts or organs of different species acquired as the result of parallel evolution or convergence.

Related Terms

Examples of homoplasy in the following topics:

  • Distinguishing between Similar Traits

    • When similar characteristics occur because of environmental constraints and not due to a close evolutionary relationship, it is called an analogy or homoplasy.

  • Constructing an Animal Phylogenetic Tree

    • In particular, they clarify whether certain traits are homologous (found in the common ancestor as a result of divergent evolution) or homoplasy (sometimes referred to as analogous: a character that is not found in a common ancestor, but whose function developed independently in two or more organisms through convergent evolution).

  • Homologous Structures

    • Analogy is commonly also referred to as homoplasy.