Comparative Anatomy

Two major concepts of comparative anatomy are:

# Homologous Structures - structures (body parts/anatomy) which are similar in different species because the species have Common Descent . They may or may not perform the same function. An example is the forelimb structure shared by Cat s and Whales .
# Analogous Structures - structures which are similar in different organisms because they evolved in a ''similar environment'', rather than were inherited from a recent common ancestor. They usually serve the same or similar purposes. An example is the torpedo body shape of porpoises and sharks. It evolved in a water environment, but the animals have different ancestors.

Although spoken of less than the above in comparative anatomy and physiology, Heterogeneous Structures (structures which are ''dissimilar''), are also present even when there is a common ancestor ''and'' a similar environment. For instance the comparative anatomy of Dolphin s and Fish .

The rules for development of ''special'' characteristics which differ significantly from general homology were listed by Karl Ernst Von Baer (the Baer laws).

SEE ALSO

Cladistics

Phylogenetics

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Comparative Anatomy

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