evolutionary adaptation
Species change mechanism
Evolutionary adaptation is a trait that has developed over generations because it helps organisms survive and reproduce in their environment.
A giraffe's long neck is an adaptation for reaching high foliage; a cactus's waxy coating is an adaptation to desert conditions.
The term distinguishes inherited, fitness-enhancing traits from individual adjustments made within a lifetime.
- natural selectionDifferential reproductive success
- speciationFormation of distinct species
- mutationPermanent DNA alteration
- coevolutionReciprocal adaptation between interacting species
- arms raceEscalating weapons accumulation between nations
vestigial structures · living fossil · phylogenetics · common ancestor · gene flow · Darwinism · Darwin's finches · selective pressure · epigenetics · ecological niches · environmental stressors · inherited traits · trait · breeding · finch · struggle · struggle for existence · advantageous
evolutionary adaptationlearned behavior
Action acquired through experience
acquired trait · conditioned response · cultural adaptation · trained response · intelligent design
evolutionary adaptationmaladaptation
Poorly suited inherited trait
genetic defect · atavism · spandrel · birth defect · congenital abnormality
evolutionary adaptationintelligent design
Purposeful cause over randomness
genetic engineering · artificial selection · synthetic biology · bioengineering · divine creation