False equivalence

Biological Parallel

Wings evolved independently in insects, birds, and bats—convergent evolution producing superficially similar structures from radically different origins. Bat wings are modified hands, bird wings are modified arms, insect wings are novel outgrowths. All enable flight, none are equivalent. Function masks fundamental difference. Ecologists distinguish analogous traits (similar function, different origin) from homologous traits (similar origin, different function). Treating convergent solutions as equivalent ignores the constraints, costs, and trade-offs embedded in their distinct developmental paths.