Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
exaptation
noun
/ˌɛk.sæpˈteɪ.ʃən/
Definition
Exaptation refers to a trait that has been adapted for a purpose different from the one for which it was originally developed.
Examples
- The feathers of birds initially evolved for insulation but later became exapted for flight.
- Exaptation can be seen in the evolution of the mammalian ear from ancestral jaw bones.
Meaning
In evolutionary biology, exaptation describes how features can be co-opted for new functions beyond their initial roles.
Synonyms
- co-option
- redirection
