convergence
Quick Summary
Convergent evolution is the independent development of similar traits or features in unrelated or distantly related species. This often occurs when species occupy similar environments or ecological niches, leading to similar evolutionary pressures.12
For example, toucans and hornbills, despite being unrelated, both evolved large bills to reach fruit from branches that cannot support their weight. Similarly, hummingbirds and sunbirds, which are from different orders, have converged in appearance due to their similar lifestyles of feeding on nectar from flowers. The shark and dolphin also exhibit convergent evolution, sharing a similar external morphology due to their independent adaptations to aquatic life. This phenomenon highlights how similar environmental challenges can lead to analogous solutions in different evolutionary lineages.234
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evolutionConvergent and parallel evolutionConvergence is often associated with similarity of function, as in the evolution of wings in birds, bats, and flies. The shark (a fish) and the dolphin (a mammal) are much alike in external morphology; their similarities are due to convergence, since they have evolved independently…
Read MoreConvergence is often associated with similarity of function, as in the evolution of wings in birds, bats, and flies. The shark (a fish) and the dolphin (a mammal) are much alike in external morphology; their similarities are due to convergence, since they have evolved independently…
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lifeConvergenceEverywhere the environment of Earth is heterogeneous. Mountains, oceans, and deserts suffer extremes of temperature, humidity, and water availability. All ecosystems contain diverse microenvironments: oxygen-depleted oceanic oozes, sulfide- or ammonia-rich soils, mineral outcrops with a high radioactivity content, or boiling organic-rich springs, for example. Besides…
Read MoreEverywhere the environment of Earth is heterogeneous. Mountains, oceans, and deserts suffer extremes of temperature, humidity, and water availability. All ecosystems contain diverse microenvironments: oxygen-depleted oceanic oozes, sulfide- or ammonia-rich soils, mineral outcrops with a high radioactivity content, or boiling organic-rich springs, for example. Besides…
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mountain ecosystemFlora…continents is an example of convergent evolution.
Read More…continents is an example of convergent evolution.
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angiospermShoot system modifications…is an excellent example of convergent evolution, or the independent development of the same characteristic in unrelated taxa.
Read More…is an excellent example of convergent evolution, or the independent development of the same characteristic in unrelated taxa.
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photoreceptionEvolution of eyes…led to numerous examples of convergence in the evolutionary history of eyes. The similarity in optical design of the eyes of fish and cephalopod mollusks, such as octopuses and squid, is perhaps the most well-known example, but it is only one of many. The same lens design is also found…
Read More…led to numerous examples of convergence in the evolutionary history of eyes. The similarity in optical design of the eyes of fish and cephalopod mollusks, such as octopuses and squid, is perhaps the most well-known example, but it is only one of many. The same lens design is also found…
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falconiformEvolution and paleontologyAmong present-day species, convergent evolution has led to the development of similar traits among different falconiforms. For instance, in Australia, buzzards (Buteo) are absent, but certain large kites have evolved to fit this ecological niche. In South America the buzzardlike harpy eagle represents a climax of one line…
Read MoreAmong present-day species, convergent evolution has led to the development of similar traits among different falconiforms. For instance, in Australia, buzzards (Buteo) are absent, but certain large kites have evolved to fit this ecological niche. In South America the buzzardlike harpy eagle represents a climax of one line…
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marsupialSuch resemblances are examples of convergent evolution—a tendency for organisms to adapt in similar ways to similar habitats. Thus, there are marsupials that look remarkably like moles, shrews, squirrels, mice, dogs, and hyenas. Others are the ecological counterparts, less in structure than in habits, of cats, small bears, and rabbits.
Read MoreSuch resemblances are examples of convergent evolution—a tendency for organisms to adapt in similar ways to similar habitats. Thus, there are marsupials that look remarkably like moles, shrews, squirrels, mice, dogs, and hyenas. Others are the ecological counterparts, less in structure than in habits, of cats, small bears, and rabbits.
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apodiform…that these anatomical resemblances are convergent (the result of the same type of natural selection acting on unrelated organisms) and that the true relationships of hummingbirds and swifts lie with other groups, not with each other.
Read More…that these anatomical resemblances are convergent (the result of the same type of natural selection acting on unrelated organisms) and that the true relationships of hummingbirds and swifts lie with other groups, not with each other.
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