Homology

[Alexey V. Kuprijanov]

------- Dr. Yuri P. Nekrutenko in his message of 15 June wrote: -------

(2) of structures similar in the same or different organisms due to similar
hereditary and development origin (Owen, 1840);

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Draw your sword!

1. I am afraid that the paragraph cited above reflects not Owen's original
concept but a commonly used slang version.

2. To be considered homologous sensu Owen structures need be neither similar
itself nor due to its 'hereditary and development origin'. Moreover, Owen
clearly stated in his "Principes d'osteologie compare'e..." that homology is
irrelevant to similarity of development. The term was adopted from geometry
to designate "the _same_ organ ... under every variety of structure and
function" (Owen, 1843. Lectures on the comparative anatomy and physiology of
the invertebrate animals. Longman, Brown, Green, and Longmans, London).

3. According to Owen, it would be more correct to call structures of the same
organism homotypical, not homologous. Although, the homotypy is a particular
case of homology.

4. I failed to find a full reference for Owen, 1840.

Best regards,

Yours sincerely, Alexey V. Kuprijanov (Lepidoptera, Incurvarioidea)
                 St.Petersburg Society of Naturalists
                 Universitetskaya nab. 7/9
                 St.Petersburg, 199034
                 RUSSIA