Editing Comparative anatomy (section)

==Uses==
{{further|Evidence of common descent}}

Comparative anatomy has long served as [[evidence of common descent|evidence for evolution]], now joined in that role by [[comparative genomics]];<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Hardison RC | title = Comparative genomics | journal = PLOS Biology | volume = 1 | issue = 2 | pages = E58 | date = November 2003 | pmid = 14624258 | pmc = 261895 | doi = 10.1371/journal.pbio.0000058 |doi-access=free}}</ref> it indicates that organisms share a common ancestor.

It also assists scientists in classifying organisms based on similar characteristics of their anatomical structures. A common example of comparative anatomy is the similar bone structures in forelimbs of cats, whales, bats, and humans. All of these appendages consist of the same basic parts; yet, they serve completely different functions. The skeletal parts which form a structure used for swimming, such as a fin, would not be ideal for forming a wing, which is better suited for flight. One explanation for the forelimbs' similar composition is descent with modification. Through random mutations and natural selection, each organism's anatomical structures gradually adapted to suit their respective habitats.<ref>{{cite book | vauthors = Campbell NA, Reece JB | title = Biology | edition = 6th | location = San Francisco, CA | publisher = [[Benjamin Cummings]] | date = February 2002 | pages = [https://archive.org/details/biologyc00camp/page/438 438–439] | isbn = 978-0-8053-6624-2 | oclc = 1053072597 | url-access = registration | url = https://archive.org/details/biologyc00camp/page/438 }}</ref> The rules for development of ''special'' characteristics which differ significantly from general [[homology (biology)|homology]] were listed by [[Karl Ernst von Baer]] as [[von Baer's laws (embryology)|the laws now named after him]].