Coevolution

Japanese: 共進化 - きょうしんか（英語表記）coevolution

Evolution is the process by which closely related species influence each other. In relationships of conflicting interests, such as between predators and prey or parasites and hosts, coevolution progresses in the form of an arms race, where as one species evolves, the other species evolves to counter it. For example, as prey species develop mimicry or poisons, predators evolve the ability to distinguish them or to detoxify them. In symbiotic relationships, such as between flower-visiting insects and flowers, mutually adaptive evolution occurs; for example, as orchid flowers become elongated, the mouthparts of the moths that suck the nectar become longer.

(Yuji Tarumi, science journalist / 2007)

Source : "Chiezo" published by Asahi Shimbun Publications Co., Ltd. About Chiezo

Japanese:

密接な関係をもつ複数の種が、互いに影響を及ぼし合いながら進化すること。捕食者と被食者や、寄生者と宿主のように利害の対立する関係の場合、一方が進化すると他方がそれに対抗する進化をとげるという軍拡競争の形で共進化が進む。例えば被食者が擬態や毒を発達させるのに応じて、捕食者は識別能力や解毒能力を進化させる。訪花昆虫と花のように共生的な関係では、例えば、ランの花が細長くなるにつれて、その蜜を吸うガの口器が伸びるといった、相互適応的な進化が起こる。

(垂水雄二科学ジャーナリスト／ 2007年)

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