The wings of
pterosaurs (1),
bats (2) and
birds (3) are analogous: they serve the same function and are similar in structure, but each evolved independently.
Two structures in biology are said to be 'analogous' if they perform the same or similar function by a similar mechanism but evolved separately. Similar structures may have evolved through different pathways, a process known as
convergent evolution, or may be
homologous.
The concept of
analogy is contrasted with that of homology, which refers to two structures that share a common ancestor and share basic
structure. Homologous structures may retain the function they served in the common ancestor or they may evolve to fulfill different functions for example, the wings of birds versus the forelimbs of
mammals.
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