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Definition

noun

A kind of evolution wherein organisms evolve structures that have similar (analogous) structures or functions in spite of their evolutionary ancestors being very dissimilar or unrelated.

Supplement

Examples are:

• the wings of bats, birds, and insects evolved independently from each other but all are used to perform the function of flying
• the complex eyes of vertebrates, cephalopods (squid and octopus), cubozoan jellyfish, and arthropods (insects, spiders, crustaceans) evolved separately, but all perform the function of vision
• the smelling organs of the terrestrial coconut crab are similar to those of insects
• the very similar shells of brachiopods and bivalve molluscs
• prickles, thorns and spines have evolved independently to prevent or limit herbivory
• plant hormones such as gibberellin and abscisic acid of plants and fungi

Compare: divergent evolution.