The Difference Between Analogy and Homology in Evolution

There are many types of evidence that support the Theory of Evolution. These pieces of evidence range from the minute molecular level of DNA similarities all the way up through similarities within the anatomical structure of organisms. When Charles Darwin first proposed his idea of natural selection, he used mostly evidence based on anatomical features of organisms he studied.

Two different ways these similarities in anatomical structures can be classified is as either analogous structures or homologous structures. While both of these categories have to do with how similar body parts of different organisms are used and structured, only one is actually an indication of a common ancestor somewhere in the past.

Analogy

Analogy, or analogous structures, is actually the one that does not indicate there is a recent common ancestor between two organisms. Even though the anatomical structures being studied look similar and maybe even perform the same functions, they are actually a product of convergent evolution. Just because they look and act alike does not mean they are related closely on the tree of life.

Convergent evolution is when two unrelated species undergo several changes and adaptations to become more similar. Usually, these two species live in similar climates and environments in different parts of the world that favor the same adaptations. The analogous features then help that species survive in the environment.

One example of analogous structures is the wings of bats, flying insects, and birds. All three organisms use their wings to fly, but bats are actually mammals and not related to birds or flying insects. In fact, birds are more closely related to dinosaurs than they are to bats or flying insects. Birds, flying insects, and bats all adapted to their niches in their environments by developing wings. However, their wings are not indicative of a close evolutionary relationship.

Another example is the fins on a shark and a dolphin. Sharks are classified within the fish family while dolphins are mammals. However, both live in similar environments in the ocean where fins are favorable adaptations for animals that need to swim and move in the water. If they are traced back far enough on the tree of life, eventually there will be a common ancestor for the two, but it would not be considered a recent common ancestor and therefore the fins of a shark and a dolphin are considered to be analogous structures.

Homology

The other classification of similar anatomical structures is called homology. In homology, the homologous structures did, in fact, evolve from a recent common ancestor. Organisms with homologous structures are more closely related to each other on the tree of life than those with analogous structures.

However, they are still closely related to a recent common ancestor and have most likely undergone divergent evolution.

Divergent evolution is where closely related species become less similar in structure and function due to the adaptations they acquire during the natural selection process. Migration to new climates, competition for niches with other species, and even microevolutionary changes like DNA mutations can contribute to divergent evolution.

An example of homology is the tailbone in humans with the tails of cats and dogs. While our coccyx or tailbone has become a vestigial structure, cats and dogs still have their tails intact. We may no longer have a visible tail, but the structure of the coccyx and the supporting bones are very similar to the tailbones of our household pets.

Plants can also have homology. The prickly spines on a cactus and the leaves on an oak tree look very dissimilar, but they are actually homologous structures. They even have very different functions. While cactus spines are primarily for protection and to prevent water loss in its hot and dry environment, the oak tree does not have those adaptations. Both structures do contribute to photosynthesis of their respective plants, however, so not all of the most recent common ancestor’s functions have been lost. Oftentimes, organisms with homologous structures actually look very different from each other when compared to how close some species with analogous structures look to each other.