Prab: CSV import

2025-02-18T11:41:47Z

CSV import

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:41, 18 February 2025
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	[[Category:Evolution]]		[[Category:Evolution]]
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			<gallery>
			File:Analogous_&_Homologous_Structures.svg\|Convergent evolution
			File:Evolutionary_trends.svg\|Convergent evolution
			File:Triad_convergence_ser_cys.svg\|Convergent evolution
			File:Ichthyosaur_vs_dolphin.svg\|Convergent evolution
			File:Vulpes_vulpes_skeleton.JPG\|Convergent evolution
			File:Beutelwolf_fg01.jpg\|Convergent evolution
			File:Beutelwolfskelett_brehm_(cropped).png\|Convergent evolution
			File:Elephantfish_spike_waveform.svg\|Convergent evolution
			File:Sternarchorhynchus_oxyrhynchus.jpg\|Convergent evolution
			File:Gnathonemus_petersii.jpg\|Convergent evolution
			File:Elephantfish_spike_waveform.svg\|Convergent evolution
			File:Evolution_eye.svg\|Convergent evolution
			</gallery>

Prab: CSV import

2024-02-22T02:08:11Z

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'''Convergent Evolution''' is a process in [[biology]] where different species independently evolve similar traits as a result of having to adapt to similar environments or ecological niches. It is in contrast to [[divergent evolution]], where a species diverges into two or more species.

== Overview ==

Convergent evolution is a type of [[evolution]] where organisms not closely related (not [[monophyletic]]), independently evolve similar traits as a result of having to adapt to similar environments or ecological niches. It is the opposite of [[divergent evolution]], where related species evolve different traits.

On a molecular level, this can happen due to random mutation unrelated to adaptive changes; see [[long branch attraction]]. In cultural evolution, convergent evolution is the development of similar cultural adaptations to similar environmental conditions by different peoples with different ancestral cultures. An example of convergent evolution is the similar nature of the flight/wings of insects, birds, pterosaurs, and bats.

All four serve the same function and are similar in structure, but each evolved independently.

== Examples ==

Some of the classic examples of convergent evolution are:

* The [[flight]] mechanisms in [[birds]], [[bats]], and [[pterosaurs]] have evolved independently, yet serve the same function and are strikingly similar in structure.
* The [[eye]] is another example of convergent evolution. The octopus and the human eye are remarkably similar, despite the fact that their last common ancestor was a primitive, sightless, marine organism.
* The [[sugar glider]] and the [[flying squirrel]] have also undergone convergent evolution. They are each other's closest relatives, but they live in very different parts of the world and have evolved separately.

== See also ==

* [[Parallel evolution]]
* [[Evolutionary biology]]
* [[Mimicry]]
* [[Natural selection]]

== References ==

<references />

{{stub}}

[[Category:Biology]]
[[Category:Evolution]]
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← Older revision		Revision as of 11:41, 18 February 2025
Line 33:		Line 33:
	[[Category:Evolution]]		[[Category:Evolution]]
	{{dictionary-stub1}}		{{dictionary-stub1}}
			<gallery>
			File:Analogous_&_Homologous_Structures.svg\|Convergent evolution
			File:Evolutionary_trends.svg\|Convergent evolution
			File:Triad_convergence_ser_cys.svg\|Convergent evolution
			File:Ichthyosaur_vs_dolphin.svg\|Convergent evolution
			File:Vulpes_vulpes_skeleton.JPG\|Convergent evolution
			File:Beutelwolf_fg01.jpg\|Convergent evolution
			File:Beutelwolfskelett_brehm_(cropped).png\|Convergent evolution
			File:Elephantfish_spike_waveform.svg\|Convergent evolution
			File:Sternarchorhynchus_oxyrhynchus.jpg\|Convergent evolution
			File:Gnathonemus_petersii.jpg\|Convergent evolution
			File:Elephantfish_spike_waveform.svg\|Convergent evolution
			File:Evolution_eye.svg\|Convergent evolution
			</gallery>

Convergent evolution - Revision history

Prab: CSV import

Prab: CSV import