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Preadaptation vs Exaptation - What's the difference?

preadaptation | exaptation |

In biology terms the difference between preadaptation and exaptation

is that preadaptation is an adaptation that evolved in an ancestral population, in which it served a different function while exaptation is the use of a biological structure or function for a purpose other than that for which it initially evolved.

preadaptation

English

Noun

(en noun)
  • (biology) An adaptation that evolved in an ancestral population, in which it served a different function

    • exaptation

    English

    Noun

    (wikipedia exaptation) (en noun)
  • (biology) The use of a biological structure or function for a purpose other than that for which it initially evolved.
  • :Birds initially developed wings and feathers as a means of heat regulation. The use of wings for flight is an example of exaptation .

    • References

    * McGarr, Paul and Rose, Stephen (editors): The Richness of Life, the essential Stephen Jay Gould; Jonathan Cape (2006) ISBN 0224076078