preadaptation Definition
- 1a feature or trait that evolves in one context and is later co-opted for a new function
- 2the possession of a characteristic that enables a species to adapt to an environment before encountering it
Using preadaptation: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "preadaptation" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The preadaptation of feathers for insulation enabled their later use for flight.
Example
The preadaptation of the human hand for grasping objects allowed for the development of tools.
Summary: preadaptation in Brief
The term 'preadaptation' [priːədæpˈteɪʃən] refers to a feature or trait that evolves in one context and is later co-opted for a new function. It can also mean the possession of a characteristic that enables a species to adapt to an environment before encountering it. Examples include the preadaptation of feathers for insulation, which later enabled their use for flight, and the preadaptation of the human hand for grasping objects, which allowed for the development of tools.
