Heterophylesis

/ˌhɛt.ə.roʊ.faɪˈli.sɪs/ noun

Definition

In biology, the development or origin of different plant or animal forms from different ancestral species.

Etymology

From Greek hetero- (different) + phylesis (evolution/origin from phyle, tribe/species). A technical evolutionary biology term for diversification across different lineages.

Kelly Says

Heterophylesis describes how evolution can create diverse forms across different species—when distantly related animals develop similar solutions to problems, that's heterophylesis in action!

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