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Convergent Evolution-Parallel evolution:

Adaptive convergence in Evolution
In this type of evolution, the organisms with completely different body organization possess
superficial resemblance. It means that the organisms of different classes acquire similar
characteristics independently and separately to avail similar environment. This is also known as
parallel evolution.
Examples: The most common example of convergent evolution is the development of wings in
insects, flying reptiles (Draco), birds and flying mammals (Bats). All of them belong to different
groups and possess one common character is the development of wings for flight.

The aquatic vertebrates- cartilaginous & bony fishes, aquatic reptiles (Extinct - Ichthyosaurs),
and dolphins, porpoises and whales (aquatic mammals) are all superficially alike. All these are
having stream-lined body with a median dorsal fin, a caudal fins and paired fin. In aquatic
reptiles and mammals the forelimbs are modified into flippers. If a layman is asked, he says all
are fishes because of their superficial resemblances and environment. But it is clearly evident
that their, body organization is markedly different.
The burrowing mammals- Moles and gophers, forelimbs are modified for digging the soil. But
these two belongs to two different orders (Moles- lnsectivora and gophers - Rodentia of the
class mammalia.
Image -1

The convergent evolution leads to the production of analogous similarities among different
groups of organisms. This indicates that evolution ma1 lead to superficial resemblances. It
could be concluded that in the origin of life from simple to more complex forms, both divergence
and convergence have played a vital role. However, the divergence is more frequent at present
than the convergence.
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1 comment:
Dr.Spock 29 June 2013 at 14:31
All aquatic creatures have to be streamlined to swim underwater.That's why they all look
alike.Convergent evolution plays no role here. If they were not streamlined they wouldn't be able to
swim in the first place.That's a no-brainer
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