Homoplasty & Convergent Evolution guides Morspace evolution outside of NeoDarwinism


Homoplasy and convergent evolution are both phenomena that occur outside of Neo-Darwinism.

Homoplasy is the independent evolution of similar features in two or more unrelated species. This happens outside of natural selection. For example, the wings of bats and birds are both homologous structures, but they evolved (non darwinian) independently from each other.

Convergent evolution is the evolution of similar features in two or more unrelated species that are adapted to similar environments. This can happen in species that are adapted to similar environments. For example, the flippers of whales and dolphins are both convergent structures, as they evolved independently from each other to help these animals swim.

Both homoplasy and convergent evolution can be explained outside of the NeoDarwinian framework. For example convergent evolution can also be caused by the interaction of species epigenetically with their environment.

Outside of Neo-Darwinism, there are a number of other theories that can explain homoplasy and convergent evolution. For example, some theories argue that these phenomena can be caused by the Lamarckian inheritance of acquired characteristics, while others argue that they can be caused by the influence of the environment on gene expression (epigenetics).

The study of homoplasy and convergent evolution is an active area of research, and scientists are still learning about the mechanisms that drive these phenomena.

Here are some additional examples of homoplasy and convergent evolution:

  • The eyes of vertebrates and cephalopods (such as squid and octopuses) are both homologous structures, but they evolved independently from each other.

  • The wings of insects and birds are both convergent structures, as they evolved independently to help these animals fly.

  • The fins of sharks and dolphins are both convergent structures, as they evolved independently to help these animals swim.

Convergent evolution and homoplasy are both examples of morphospace phenotypic adaptation outside of NeoDarwinism.

  • Morphospace is a theoretical concept that describes the range of possible forms that a particular organism can take. It is a multidimensional space, with each dimension representing a different physical characteristic, such as size, shape, or color.


  • Phenotypic adaptation is the process by which an organism's physical characteristics change over time in response to its environment. This can happen through non darwinian epigenetics.

Both convergent evolution and homoplasy are examples of morphospace phenotypic adaptation because they both involve changes in the physical characteristics of an organism in response to its environment.

Here are some other examples of morphospace phenotypic adaptation:

  • The fins of sharks and dolphins

  • The beaks of hummingbirds and woodpeckers

  • The leaves of cacti and euphorbias

  • The spines of hedgehogs and porcupines

These are just a few examples of the many ways in which organisms can adapt to their environment. Morphospace phenotypic adaptation is a powerful force in NonDarwinian evolution, and it has helped to shape the diversity of life on Earth.


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