coadaptation

[ koh-ad-uhp-tey-shuhn ]

noun

1. Biology. the correlation of structural or behavioral characteristics in two or more interacting organisms in a community or organs in an organism resulting from progressive accommodation by natural selection.
2. Also called integration. Genetics. the accumulation in a population's gene pool of genes that interact by harmonious epistasis in the development of an organism.

coadaptation

/ kō′ăd′ăp-tā′shən /

1. The mutual adaptation of two or more genetically determined features through natural selection. Coadaptation can occur between interacting genes or structures within an organism or between two or more interacting species.

Other Words From

• coad·ap·tation·al adjective
• coad·ap·tation·al·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of coadaptation¹

First recorded in 1830–40; co- + adaptation

Example Sentences

In throwing a stone or spear, and in many other actions, a man must stand firmly on his feet; and this again demands the perfect coadaptation of numerous muscles.

From Project Gutenberg

He states clearly the important truth that a mere belief in the origin of species by descent from other species is unsatisfactory until it can be shown how species can have been modified so as to acquire their present remarkable perfection of structure and coadaptation.

From Project Gutenberg

How is coadaptation best obtained?

From Project Gutenberg

The one who has drawn our attention more than perhaps any other living writer to those very marvels of coadaptation, is the foremost to maintain that they are the result not of desire and design, either within the creature or without it, but of blind chance, working no whither, and due but to the accumulation of innumerable lucky accidents.

From Project Gutenberg

It is, therefore, of the highest importance to gain a clear insight into the means of modification and coadaptation.

From Project Gutenberg