BioConcepts

isomorphismIsomorphie (ger.)

• The similarity of appearance by organisms, especially those not closely related.  
  category homology

  1860

  These writers have been guided by the false analogy of Molluscan types, which, however, have nothing in common with Rhizopodous shells, except similarity of form, or isomorphism

  Parker, W.K. & Jones, T.R. (1860). On the nomenclature of the Foraminifera, part III. The species enumerated by von Fichtel and von Moll. The Annals and Magazine of Natural History, Zoology, Botany, and Geology 5 (3rd ser.), 98-116: 98; cf. 115.

  1868

  its [viz. the seriema’s] isomorphism with the Grallae is so great as to have misled some of the greatest ornithologists

  Parker, W.K. (1868). A Monograph on the Structure and Development of the Shoulder-Girdle and Sternum of the Vertebrata: 167; cf. id. (1885). On Mammalian Descent: 196.

  1888

  ich [möchte] anstatt des Terminus Homoplasie oder Homomorphie der für (mutatis mutandis) ähnliche Verhältnisse seit Alters schon in der Chemie angewendeten und auf morphologischem Gebiete von W.K. Parker gebauchten Bezeichnung Isomorphie (Isomorphismus) den Vorzug geben.

  Fürbringer, M. (1888). Untersuchungen zur Morphologie und Systematik der Vögel, vol. 2 Allgemeiner Theil (Bijdragen tot de dierkunde 15, 2): 1122; cf. 1478-9.

  1902

  A few fundamental characters are better indications of the affinities of given groups of birds than a great number of agreements if these can be shown to be cases of isomorphism or heterophyletic, convergent analogy.

  Parker, W.K. (1902). Birds. Encyclopaedia Britannica 26: 255.

  1945

  [We shall say that a set γ of parts is isomorphic with a set δ

  Woodger, J.H. (1945). On biological transformations. In: LeGros Clark, E. & Medawar, P.B. (eds.). Essays on Growth and Form, 95-120: 104.]