在《物种起源》一书中，达尔文将退化的器官认定为进化的证据，它们的存在帮助我们定义和形成了人类的进化树。
In on the Origin of Species, Charles Darwin used vestigial organs as evidence for evolution, and their presence has helped define and shape our phylogenetic trees.
由于这些结构的出现可以追溯到各代祖先，所以它们可以作为进化的标志；没有一个生物体身上的退化器官是祖先没有的。
Because these structures can be traced back through the ancestors, they essentially serve as a marker of evolution; no organism can have a vestigial organ that hasn't been found in its forefathers.
仔细观察时还发现，这些年老的卫士们都是无法繁殖的雌性。它们的繁殖器官都已退化，腹部积累了大量粘蜡。
On close inspection, these defenders were found to be sterile females, whose reproductive organs were displaced by an abdominal stockpile of sticky wax.
应用推荐