1An adaptation which serves a different purpose from the one for which it evolved.
〔生〕前适应，预先适应
Example sentencesExamples
If one changes between different function and effect it becomes meaningless to claim that the former was a preadaptation to the latter.
The authors speculate that the fusion of polar bodies in the RKK might be a preadaptation to automictic parthenogenesis through central fusion.
He suggested that avian ancestors must have incorporated functional preadaptations for flight, yet rejects characters uniting theropods and birds based on grounds of functional similarity.
He then lists a number of likely cognitive, social and physiological preadaptations that would need to be in place that would enable, but not squeeze out, language.
This represents an important preadaptation for a social parasite to gain reproductive dominance in host colonies.
1.1mass nounThe process by which a preadaptation arises.
Example sentencesExamples
That complex scenario, involving endothermy and preadaptations, has no name as yet.
He goes on to legitimise the notion of preadaptation, and how these might accumulate until the last piece in the mosaic could be put in place and circumstances become such that an evolutionary shift is made possible.
Also they saw this as a contribution to the solution of the problem of preadaptation.
The model could be extended to cover factors such as the level of preadaptation by studying their effect on the parameter.
Such a practice may have allowed preadaptation of the starting clone to the 25° environment.
Definition of preadaptation in US English:
preadaptation
noun
Biology
1An adaptation which serves a different purpose from the one for which it evolved.
〔生〕前适应，预先适应
Example sentencesExamples
This represents an important preadaptation for a social parasite to gain reproductive dominance in host colonies.
The authors speculate that the fusion of polar bodies in the RKK might be a preadaptation to automictic parthenogenesis through central fusion.
He suggested that avian ancestors must have incorporated functional preadaptations for flight, yet rejects characters uniting theropods and birds based on grounds of functional similarity.
He then lists a number of likely cognitive, social and physiological preadaptations that would need to be in place that would enable, but not squeeze out, language.
If one changes between different function and effect it becomes meaningless to claim that the former was a preadaptation to the latter.
1.1The process by which a preadaptation arises.
Example sentencesExamples
The model could be extended to cover factors such as the level of preadaptation by studying their effect on the parameter.
Such a practice may have allowed preadaptation of the starting clone to the 25° environment.
Also they saw this as a contribution to the solution of the problem of preadaptation.
That complex scenario, involving endothermy and preadaptations, has no name as yet.
He goes on to legitimise the notion of preadaptation, and how these might accumulate until the last piece in the mosaic could be put in place and circumstances become such that an evolutionary shift is made possible.