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

Harmonious adaptation (coadaptation) has here been active in a high degree, and yet these "soldiers" are sterile!

From Project Gutenberg

It is obvious that even the problem of coadaptation in sterile animals can thus be satisfactorily explained.

From Project Gutenberg

The problem of coadaptation is no easier in the case of the ant than in the case of the Giant Stag.

From Project Gutenberg

Sometimes coadaptation does not take place, as in the common brook crab, familiar to every country boy.

From Project Gutenberg

In other words, there must be coadaptation of all the parts, otherwise these larger horns would be an incumbrance and useless.

From Project Gutenberg