Question

Give an example of convergent evolution and identify the features towards which they are converging.

Answer 1

Answer:

Convergent evolution or homoplasty is the development of similarly functional structures from unrelated organisms.

EXAMPLE: wings in insects and birds, patagia in flying squirrels and flying phalanges.

Answer 2

Convergent evolution refers to the appearance of similar features in species of different lineages.

Convergent evolution forms analogous structures.

Example of convergent evolution is –

Wings of birds and butterflies, they perform similar function of flying but have different anatomically, i.e., different bone structures, different wing coverings, different shape and size.