Editing Exaptation (section)

==Implications==
===Evolution of complex traits===
One of the challenges to Darwin's theory of evolution was explaining how complex structures could evolve gradually,<ref>The development of complex structures (i.e., evolution of novelties) occur either by intensification of an existing function or by a switch in functions.</ref> given that their incipient forms may have been inadequate to serve any function. As [[George Jackson Mivart]] (a critic of Darwin) pointed out, 5 percent of a bird wing would not be functional. The incipient form of complex traits would not have survived long enough to evolve to a useful form.

As Darwin elaborated in the last edition of ''[[On the Origin of Species|The Origin of Species]]'',<ref>{{harvnb|Darwin|1872}}</ref> many complex traits evolved from earlier traits that had served different functions. By trapping air, primitive wings would have enabled birds to efficiently regulate their temperature, in part, by lifting up their feathers when too warm. Individual animals with more of this functionality would more successfully survive and reproduce, resulting in the proliferation and intensification of the trait.

Eventually, feathers became sufficiently large to enable some individuals to glide. These individuals would in turn more successfully survive and reproduce, resulting in the spread of this trait because it served a second and still more beneficial function: that of locomotion. Hence, the evolution of bird wings can be explained by a shifting in function from the regulation of temperature to flight.

===Jury-rigged design===
Darwin explained how the traits of living organisms are well-designed for their environment, but he also recognized that many traits are imperfectly designed. They appear to have been made from available material, that is, [[jury-rigged]].{{efn|Jacob (1977)<ref name=Jacob1977/> sees much of evolution as "tinkering," that is, working with available traits. "Tinkering" includes (but is not limited to) shifts in function.}} Understanding exaptations may suggest hypotheses regarding subtleties in the adaptation. For instance, that feathers evolved initially for thermal regulation may help to explain some of their features unrelated to flight.<ref name=M&L>{{cite journal |pmid=15740417|year=2005 |last1=MacDonald |first1=G. |last2=Leary |first2=M.R. |title=Why does social exclusion hurt? The relationship between social and physical pain |volume=131 |issue=2 |pages=202–23 |doi=10.1037/0033-2909.131.2.202 |journal=Psychological Bulletin|citeseerx=10.1.1.335.4272 |s2cid=10540325 }}</ref>  However, this is readily explained by the fact that they serve a dual purpose.

Some of the chemical pathways for physical pain and pain from [[social exclusion]] overlap.<ref name=M&L/> The physical pain system may have been co-opted to motivate social animals to respond to threats to their inclusion in the group.

===Evolution of technology===

Exaptation has received increasing attention in [[Innovation studies|innovation]] and [[management studies]] inspired by evolutionary dynamics, where it has been proposed as a mechanism that drives the [[serendipitous]] expansion of technologies and products in new domains.<ref>{{Cite journal|title=Exaptation as source of creativity, innovation, and diversity: Introduction to the Special Section|journal=Industrial and Corporate Change|volume=25|pages=115–131|doi=10.1093/icc/dtv053|year=2016|last1=Andriani|first1=Pierpaolo|last2=Cattani|first2=Gino|s2cid=147024001}}</ref>{{clarification|reason=Such as?|date=November 2023}}

=== In the cognitive science of religion ===
In the [[cognitive science of religion]], exaptation is used to explain religious behavior and belief. As such, religion is seen as the byproduct of mental evolution.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Powell |first1=Russell |last2=Clarke |first2=Steve |date=2012-09-01 |title=Religion as an Evolutionary Byproduct: A Critique of the Standard Model |url=https://www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/10.1093/bjps/axr035 |journal=The British Journal for the Philosophy of Science |language=en |volume=63 |issue=3 |pages=457–486 |doi=10.1093/bjps/axr035 |issn=0007-0882|url-access=subscription }}</ref>