Question

Convergent evolution is illustrated by
A. Rat and Dog
B. Bacterium and Protozoan
C. Starfish and Cuttlefish
D. Dogfish and Whale

Answer 1

In evolutionary biology, convergent evolution is the process whereby the organisms not closely related, but independently evolve the similar traits as a result of having to adapt to similar environments or ecological niches.

Complete step by step answer: The convergent evolution is the independent evolution of similar features in the species of different lineages. The convergent evolution creates analogous structures that have similar form or functions. The dogfish is a cartilaginous fish and a whale is a mammal, both have streamlined bodies and show vivipary, but belong to totally different groups. The former is the fish and later being the tetrapod mammal. The dogfish and the whale are examples of convergent evolution in the animals as both of them have more or less similar body organization. Convergent evolution is a long process in the field of biology. It takes place when two species from the unrelated lines develop the same traits or the same features. This is only because they live in similar habitats, and have to develop the solutions to the almost same kind of problems. Both the species might have acquired the trait by descent from the common ancestor.
Therefore, the correct answer is option D.

Additional information:
The examples of the convergent evolution include the relationships between the bat and the insect wings, the shark and the dolphin bodies, and the vertebrate and the cephalopod eyes. The analogous structures arise from the convergent evolution, but the homologous structures do not.

Note: An example of the convergent evolution is the similar nature of the flight or the wings of an insect, birds, pterosaurs, and the bats. All four serve the same function and are similar in the structure, but each evolved independently.