The term is often applied to groups that share characteristics that appear to be similar but have not been inherited from common ancestors; these characteristics are known as homoplasies, and the development and phenomenon of homoplasies is known as convergent evolution.
Istilah tersebut seringkali ditujukan kepada kelompok yang berbagi sifat yang tampak mirip namun tak diwarisi dari leluhur umum; sifat-sifat tersebut dikenal sebagai homoplasis, dan perkembangan dan fenomena homoplasis dikenal sebagai evolusi konvergen.