The circumstances in which two species with very different evolutionary histories develop similar physical features as a result of adapting to a similar environment is known as a(n)

It is called Analogy. Practically equivalent to structures are those structures in various species which play out a similar capacity, have comparable appearance and structure yet are not developed together; along these lines don't share a typical precursor. 
Cases of practically equivalent to structures run from wings in flying creatures like bats, feathered creatures, and creepy crawlies, to balances in creatures like penguins and fish. Plants and different living beings can likewise exhibit similar to structures, for example, sweet potatoes and potatoes, which have a similar capacity of sustenance stockpiling