[2] In the neodarwinist theory of evolution, as postulated by Stephen Jay Gould, there is room for differing development, when a life form matures earlier or later, in shape and size.
[3] A creature in its ontogeny may combine heterochronic features in six vectors, although Gould considers that there is some binding with growth and sexual maturation.
Most novel human features (compared to closely related apes) were of this nature, not implying major change in structural genes, as was classically considered.
[3] It is not claimed that this pattern is universal, but there is now a wide range of examples from many different taxa, including: Although mosaic evolution is usually seen in terms of animals such as Darwin's finches, it can also be seen in the evolutionary process of hominin.
Language is a mosaic composite of various elements working together for one specific attribute, and this is not a single trait an offspring can inherit directly.
When comparing current brain size and capacity between humans and chimpanzees, the ability to predict the evolutionary change between their ancestors was incredibly insightful.
Using fossil record, dental shape showed mosaic evolution within the canine teeth found in early hominin.