homoplasies
/ˈhoʊməˌpleɪsiz/
noun
- Traits or features that are similar in different species but were not inherited from a common ancestor; they evolved independently.
- The spines on a cactus and the thorns on a rose are homoplasies, since the plants are not closely related.
- The wings of birds and bats are homoplasies, not evidence of a shared flying ancestor.
- Biologists study homoplasies to understand how similar environments can lead to similar adaptations.