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coadaptation

[koh-ad-uh p-tey-shuh n]
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.
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Origin of coadaptation

First recorded in 1830–40; co- + adaptation
Related formsco·ad·ap·ta·tion·al, adjectiveco·ad·ap·ta·tion·al·ly, adverb
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for coadaptation

Historical Examples

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

    On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection

    Charles Darwin

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

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

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

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

    Homo-culture

    Martin Luther Holbrook

coadaptation in Medicine

coadaptation

(kō′ăd-ăp-tā′shən)
n.
  1. The joint correlated changes in two or more interdependent organs.
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The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
coadaptation in Science

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.
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The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.