homoplasy The similarity of a particular character in two different, yet often related, groups of organisms that is not the result of common ancestry. Such a similarity may arise due to convergent evolution, parallel evolution, or an evolutionary reversal, and is therefore potentially misleading when examining shared characters in constructing phylogenetic trees (see cladistics). For example, wings in bats and birds are a convergent, and therefore homoplasic, character. Hence, all efforts are made to distinguish homoplasic characters from homologous derived characters (see apomorphy). Compare analogous; patristic.

homoplasy In the course of evolution, the appearance of similar structures in different lineages (i.e. not by inheritance from a common ancestor). The term includes convergent evolution and parallel evolution. See also REVERSAL.

homoplasy In the course of evolution, the appearance of similar structures in different lineages (i.e. not by inheritance from a common ancestor). The term includes convergence, parallelism, and reversal.

homoplasy In the course of evolution, the appearance of similar structures in different lineages (i.e. not by inheritance from a common ancestor). The term includes convergence and parallelism.

homoplasy The occurrence of similar features in distantly related taxa (see TAXON) as a result of convergent or parallel evolution.