A functionality, or organ used for one purpose, is diverted for another purpose is called 'teleological shift'.
For instance, the floating bladder in primitive fish became lungs in land animals. Evolution is full of teleological shifts. Even sex which is basicaly used for procreation in most animals, is also used as a bonding mechanism in some animals. Oxytocin, whose original functions is to stimulate contractions of the uterus during labour, to stimulate the ejection of milk during lactation, also became a bonding hormone. --- <salyavin808@...> wrote : Researchers have discovered that a protein which controls anxiety in humans has the same molecular ancestor as one which causes insects to moult when they outgrow their skins. Studies on sea urchins provided the missing link because they have a protein with elements common to those in both humans and insects and reveal a common ancestry hundreds of millions of years ago. Proteins that control anxiety in humans and cause insects to shed their skins have common origin http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/04/150421205546.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/04/150421205546.htm Proteins that control anxiety in humans and cause insect... http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/04/150421205546.htm Researchers have discovered that a protein which controls anxiety in humans has the same molecular ancestor as one which causes insects to molt when the... View on www.sciencedaily.com http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/04/150421205546.htm Preview by Yahoo
