Convergence - Shuren (English spelling) convergence

Japanese: 収れん(収斂) - しゅうれん（英語表記）convergence

This refers to the independent evolution of organ shapes or overall body shapes toward similarities among biological taxa of different lineages. The phenomenon of apparent similarity in morphology between organisms resulting from convergence is called homeomorphy, and can be seen among taxonomic groups at various levels. Many occur in relation to similarities in ecology (especially locomotion and feeding habits). For example, the basic skeletal structure of cartilaginous fish such as sharks, the reptile ichthyosaurs that flourished in the Mesozoic era, and the mammal dolphin are all significantly different, but they all have streamlined body shapes suited to swimming.

Source: Heibonsha World Encyclopedia, 2nd Edition Information

Japanese:

系統の異なる生物分類群の間で独立に器官の形や体全体の形が類似する方向に進化することをいう。収れんの結果生ずる生物間の形態の見かけの類似現象をホメオモルフィーhomeomorphyといい，さまざまのレベルの分類群の間で認められる。多くは生態(特に運動様式･食性)の類似に関連して起こる。例えば，軟骨魚類のサメ，中生代に栄えた爬虫類の魚竜，哺乳類のイルカは骨格の基本的構造は著しく異なるが，いずれも遊泳に適した流線型の体形をもつ。

出典　株式会社平凡社世界大百科事典第２版について　情報

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