Definition: Paratanaisia is a concept in evolutionary biology that describes a state where species diverge from their ancestral lineage but retain some aspects of it, such as traits and behaviors. This can occur through genetic drift or through natural selection acting on individuals that are not aligned with the ancestral gene pool. Paratanaisia is often seen as a transitional stage between two divergent evolutionary lines, as opposed to an end-point where species cease to be distinct from their ancestors.