convergent evolution
Independent similar solutions
Convergent evolution is the independent development of similar traits in unrelated species facing similar environmental pressures.
Wings evolved separately in birds, bats, and insects.
Eyes emerged independently in vertebrates and octopuses.
The phenomenon demonstrates how natural selection can produce remarkably similar solutions to the same survival problems across distant branches of the evolutionary tree.
Differential reproductive success
- selective pressureInfluence favoring certain traits
- fitnessGood physical shape
- survivalRemaining alive against odds
- ecological nicheSpecies' functional environmental position
phenotype · morphology · streamlined bodies · echolocation · body plan
Smart aquatic mammals
- ichthyosaursExtinct marine reptiles
- sharksLarge predatory fish
- batsFlying nocturnal mammals
- birdsEgg-laying flying vertebrates
pterosaurs · marsupials · placentals · thylacine · wolf · cactus · euphorbia · hummingbirds
natural selection
Differential reproductive success
- selective pressureInfluence favoring certain traits
- fitnessGood physical shape
- survivalRemaining alive against odds
ecological niche · phenotype · morphology · streamlined bodies · echolocation · body plan
dolphins
Smart aquatic mammals
- ichthyosaursExtinct marine reptiles
- sharksLarge predatory fish
- batsFlying nocturnal mammals
birds · pterosaurs · marsupials · placentals · thylacine · wolf · cactus · euphorbia · hummingbirds · sunbirds
- evolutionnatural selection, mutation, adaptation, speciation, fitness
- Evolutionary Genomicshomology, natural selection, genetic drift, mutation, speciation
- reptileslizard, snake, turtle, crocodile, alligator
- geneticsDNA, allele, genotype, genes, gene
- adaptationsfilm adaptation, film adaptations, movie adaptation, TV adaptation, TV adaptations
- animal historydinosaurs, mammoths, extinction, fossils, prehistoric life
evolution, converge, divergence, convergence, divergent, diverged, diverging, convergent, evolutionary