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Homology: A comparative or a historical concept?

  • Ideas in theoretical biology
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Abstract

The meaning of the word ‘homology’ has changed. From being a comparative concept in pre-Darwinian times, it became a historical concept, strictly signifying a common evolutionary origin for either anatomical structures or genes. This historical understanding of homology is not useful in classification; therefore I propose a return to its pre-Darwinian meaning.

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  1. Neuroscience Office 73-346 Center for the Health Sciences, University of California, 90024, Los Angeles, California, USA

    Francisco Aboitiz

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  1. Francisco Aboitiz
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Aboitiz, F. Homology: A comparative or a historical concept?. Acta Biotheor 37, 27–29 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00050805

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00050805

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