homoplasy: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very LowAcademic / Technical (specialist scientific)
Quick answer
What does “homoplasy” mean?
A state in which two or more species independently develop similar characteristics that were not present in their common ancestor.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A state in which two or more species independently develop similar characteristics that were not present in their common ancestor.
In evolutionary biology and phylogenetics, the phenomenon of convergent or parallel evolution resulting in analogous traits, leading to misleading similarities when inferring evolutionary relationships. It can also refer to a specific instance of such a similarity.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning, spelling, or usage. The term is identical in both varieties within scientific discourse.
Connotations
Purely technical, neutral, and objective in both varieties.
Frequency
Identically rare and specialised in both UK and US contexts. Exclusively used within evolutionary biology, systematics, and related fields.
Grammar
How to Use “homoplasy” in a Sentence
Homoplasy in + [trait/organ]Homoplasy between + [species/taxa]Homoplasy results from + [evolutionary process]The homoplasy of + [trait]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “homoplasy” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The trait appears to homoplasise in these lineages.
- Analyses aim to identify which characters have homoplasied.
American English
- The trait appears to homoplasize in these lineages.
- Analyses aim to identify which characters have homoplasized.
adverb
British English
- The feature evolved homoplastically on three continents.
American English
- The feature evolved homoplastically on three continents.
adjective
British English
- The homoplastic wings of bats and birds are a classic example.
- A homoplastic trait can confound phylogenetic inference.
American English
- The homoplastic wings of bats and birds are a classic example.
- A homoplastic trait can confound phylogenetic inference.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Never used.
Academic
Exclusive domain. Used in biology, zoology, botany, palaeontology, and phylogenetics papers and textbooks to discuss evolutionary patterns and challenges in tree reconstruction.
Everyday
Virtually never used. Unintelligible to the general public.
Technical
Core term in systematics and evolutionary biology. Used in software for phylogenetic analysis (e.g., "homoplasy excess ratio") and in discussions of trait evolution.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “homoplasy”
Strong
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “homoplasy”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “homoplasy”
- Mispronouncing it as 'home-o-plassy'.
- Confusing it with 'homology' (its direct opposite).
- Using it outside of an evolutionary biology context.
- Treating it as an uncountable noun only (it can be countable: 'several homoplasies').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Homology refers to traits shared due to common ancestry (e.g., human arm and bat wing). Homoplasy refers to traits that are similar but evolved independently (e.g., bat wing and bird wing).
Homoplasy is the *result* (the similar trait itself), while convergent evolution is one of the main *processes* that causes it. Parallel evolution and evolutionary reversal are other processes leading to homoplasy.
Yes. While it can mislead phylogenetic studies, the study of homoplasy itself reveals how natural selection can produce similar solutions to similar environmental pressures in unrelated lineages.
In many contexts, yes, 'analogous trait' is a common synonym. However, in strict technical usage, 'homoplasy' is a broader term encompassing analogy, parallelism, and reversal, and is often used in the context of phylogenetic analysis.
A state in which two or more species independently develop similar characteristics that were not present in their common ancestor.
Homoplasy is usually academic / technical (specialist scientific) in register.
Homoplasy: in British English it is pronounced /ˈhɒmə(ʊ)pleɪsi/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈhoʊmoʊˌpleɪsi/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think 'HOMOplasy' sounds like 'same' (homo) + 'to mould' (plasis). A 'same-moulding' that happened independently, not from a shared ancestor's mould.
Conceptual Metaphor
MISLEADING TWIN: Homoplasy is a 'false friend' in the family tree of life; two unrelated branches coincidentally dress in the same outfit.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary significance of identifying homoplasy in evolutionary studies?