1. relating to or denoting similarity in structure or form between organisms that is due to convergent evolution rather than common ancestry
Usage: biology; evolutionary biology
2. of or relating to homoplasy; showing structural resemblance without evolutionary relationship
Usage: technical; biology

Examples

• The wings of birds and insects are homoplastic structures that evolved independently.
• Scientists identified homoplastic traits in distantly related species that adapted to similar environments.
• The streamlined body shape of dolphins and sharks is a homoplastic adaptation to aquatic life.
• Homoplastic features can mislead phylogenetic analysis if not carefully distinguished from homologous ones.
• The eye structures in octopuses and vertebrates are often cited as examples of homoplastic evolution.