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Analogous structures are examples of convergent evolution, where two organisms separately have to solve the same evolutionary problem – such as staying hidden, flying, swimming, or conserving water – in similar ways. The result is similar body structures that developed independently.
In evolutionary biology, analogous structures are biological structures having similar or corresponding functions but not from the same evolutionary origin. In other words, species use these biological structures for the same purpose and yet these species are from unrelated evolutionary lines.
What are analogous structures? Analogous structures are defined as the structures or traits of different or unrelated organisms that perform similar functions but have different evolutionary origins. These traits evolve in response to similar environmental conditions.
Analogous Structure is the evidence that proves the Convergent Evolutionary relation among the species. With the help of Convergent Evolution, the common traits developed in the species. These are the structures that perform similar functionality. But these structures are not similar from the Anatomical viewpoint.
Analogous structures refer to organs or body parts that serve similar functions but have different evolutionary origins. Think wings of a bat versus those of a bird – both adapted for flight, yet evolved independently.
Similar traits can be either homologous or analogous. Homologous structures share a similar embryonic origin; analogous organs have a similar function. For example, the bones in the front flipper of a whale are homologous to the bones in the human arm.
What are homologous structures? How are they different from analogous structures? Learn all about these confusing biology concepts and check out analogous and homologous structure examples.
On the other hand if you look at analogous structures, they're exact opposite. Two completely different structures from completely different ancestry, have the same functions. Have evolved independently to give us the same functions.
Analogous structures are structures which serve similar purposes yet are found in species that have come from different evolutionary lines. The study of analogous structures is a type of anatomical comparison between two different species, used to gain evidence for convergent evolution.
Analogy, in biology, similarity of function and superficial resemblance of structures that have different origins. For example, the wings of a fly, a moth, and a bird are analogous because they developed independently as adaptations to a common function—flying.