Definition of Term

homoplasy

(English) A character shared by two taxa that is similar but turned out to be not homologue and that can therefore not be used in constructing phylogenetic trees, also similarity due to convergent, parallel or refersed (i.e. loss) evolution, i.e. independent evolutionary change, not common ancestry. Convergent features are derived from distantly related ancestors, i.e. independent evolution derived by a different mechanism, thus leading to superficial similarity. Parallelisms derive from closely-related ancestors, i.e. independent evolution using the same mechanism. (See also: tree, homologue, taxon)

homoplasie

(French) Caractère partagé par deux taxa qui sont semblable mais qui ne sont pas homologue ; ne peut pas être utilisé pour construire des arbres phylogénétiques. (See also: tree, homologue, taxon)

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