"In biology, adaptation has three related meanings. Firstly, it is the dynamic evolutionary process of natural selection that fits organisms to their environment, enhancing their evolutionary fitness. Secondly, it is a state reached by the population during that process. Thirdly, it is a phenotypic trait or adaptive trait, with a functional role in each individual organism, that is maintained and has evolved through natural selection."
The process by which organisms evolve traits that make them better suited to their environment.
Natural selection: The process by which certain traits become more or less common in a population over time as a result of their impact on survival and reproduction.
Genetic variation: The differences in genetic makeup between individuals within a population, which provide the raw material for evolutionary change.
Mutations: Changes in the genetic code that can create new traits, some of which may be beneficial or detrimental in different environments.
Gene flow: The transfer of genes between populations through migration or interbreeding, which can introduce new genetic diversity or homogenize differences between populations.
Genetic drift: Random changes in the frequencies of alleles (versions of a gene) within a population, which can have significant effects on the course of evolution in small or isolated populations.
Speciation: The process by which one species evolves into two or more distinct species, usually as a result of reproductive isolation and divergent selection pressures.
Adaptation: Any trait or behavior that has evolved to enhance an organism's ability to survive and reproduce in its environment, including physical structures, physiological mechanisms, and behaviors.
Convergent evolution: The independent evolution of similar traits or features in distantly related species as a result of similar environmental pressures or functional demands.
Coevolution: The reciprocal evolutionary change of two or more interacting species, such as predator-prey, host-parasite, or mutualistic relationships.
Phylogenetics: The study of evolutionary relationships among organisms based on their shared traits and genetic characteristics, often represented in branching diagrams called phylogenetic trees.
Natural selection: This is the most basic form of adaptation in which certain traits that provide an advantage for survival and reproduction are more likely to be passed on to the next generation.
Artificial selection: This is a type of adaptation in which humans intentionally breed certain traits into a population of organisms, resulting in the evolution of new types of plants and animals.
Sexual selection: This is a type of adaptation that involves the preferential selection of certain mates based on particular traits or characteristics, such as size, color, or behavior.
Gene flow: This is a type of adaptation in which genes are transferred between different populations of organisms, which can result in the transfer of adaptive traits as well.
Genetic drift: This is a type of adaptation that occurs due to random fluctuations in the genetic makeup of a population, which can result in the emergence of new traits or the loss of existing ones.
Mutation: This is a type of adaptation that occurs when genetic mutations result in the emergence of new traits or characteristics that provide an advantage for survival or reproduction.
Hybridization: This is a type of adaptation that occurs when two different species interbreed, resulting in the emergence of new traits or characteristics that are a combination of both parental species.
Coevolution: This is a type of adaptation that occurs when two or more species evolve in response to each other, resulting in the development of complex relationships and interactions.
Convergent evolution: This is a type of adaptation that occurs when different species evolve similar traits or characteristics as a result of similar environmental pressures.
Divergent evolution: This is a type of adaptation that occurs when different species evolve different traits or characteristics as a result of different environmental pressures.
Parallel evolution: This is a type of adaptation that occurs when two or more species evolve similar traits or characteristics independently of each other.
Adaptive radiation: This is a type of adaptation that occurs when a single ancestral species gives rise to many different species, each adapted to different niches in the environment.
"Historically, adaptation has been described from the time of the ancient Greek philosophers such as Empedocles and Aristotle. In 18th and 19th century natural theology, adaptation was taken as evidence for the existence of a deity. Charles Darwin proposed instead that it was explained by natural selection."
"Adaptation is related to biological fitness, which governs the rate of evolution as measured by change in allele frequencies."
"Often, two or more species co-adapt and co-evolve as they develop adaptations that interlock with those of the other species, such as with flowering plants and pollinating insects."
"In mimicry, species evolve to resemble other species; in Müllerian mimicry, this is a mutually beneficial co-evolution as each of a group of strongly defended species (such as wasps able to sting) come to advertise their defenses in the same way."
"Features evolved for one purpose may be co-opted for a different one, as when the insulating feathers of dinosaurs were co-opted for bird flight."
"Adaptation is a major topic in the philosophy of biology, as it concerns function and purpose (teleology)."
"Some biologists try to avoid terms which imply purpose in adaptation, not least because it suggests a deity's intentions."
"Charles Darwin proposed instead that adaptation was explained by natural selection."
"Thirdly, adaptation is a phenotypic trait or adaptive trait, with a functional role in each individual organism, that is maintained and has evolved through natural selection."
"Firstly, adaptation is the dynamic evolutionary process of natural selection that fits organisms to their environment, enhancing their evolutionary fitness."
"In 18th and 19th century natural theology, adaptation was taken as evidence for the existence of a deity."
"Historically, adaptation has been described from the time of the ancient Greek philosophers such as Empedocles and Aristotle."
"Often, two or more species co-adapt and co-evolve as they develop adaptations that interlock with those of the other species."
"In biology, adaptation has three related meanings."
"Secondly, adaptation is a state reached by the population during that process."
"Thirdly, adaptation is a phenotypic trait or adaptive trait, with a functional role in each individual organism, that is maintained and has evolved through natural selection."
"Charles Darwin proposed instead that it was explained by natural selection."
"In mimicry, species evolve to resemble other species; in Müllerian mimicry, this is a mutually beneficial co-evolution as each of a group of strongly defended species come to advertise their defenses in the same way."
"Others note that adaptation is necessarily purposeful."