Question

Flying squirrel and flying phalanger show convergent evolution. Justify.

Answer 1

Convergent evolution is the mechanism by which species that are not closely related (not monophyletic) acquire similar characteristics independently as a result of adaptation to similar habitats or ecological niches.

Complete answer:
In organisms in distinct times or epochs of time, convergent evolution is the autonomous evolution of related characteristics. Convergent evolution develops comparable constructs that have identical shape or function, but were not present in those groups' last common ancestor. For the same phenomenon, the cladistic concept is homoplasy. A typical example is the recurring development of flight, where flying insects, birds, pterosaurs, and bats all independently acquired the beneficial ability to fly. That is equivalent to functionally related characteristics that have evolved from convergent evolution, because homologous constructs or characteristics have a shared basis but may have different functions. The pigeon, bat, and pterosaur wings are identical structures, but despite performing distinct roles, their forelimbs are homologous, sharing an ancestral state.

A tiny mantispid, an instance of convergent evolution, and a praying mantis. For the monophyletic root of flowering, cladograms indicate four distinct hypotheses. Their continuing use is also not warranted, and can also be deceptive. The flying phalanger is strikingly similar to the flying squirrel from North America.

As they have some common traits, these animals are an example of 'convergent evolution'.
In the cracks of a tree, they spend their daylight hours curled up unconscious. Both of them are fluffy beings that want to accumulate information for the next one.
There is 'a similarity between flying squirrel' and 'evolutionary flying phalanger'.

Note: Evolution is characterized as parallel when two species are identical in a certain character, if the ancestors were also similar, and convergent if they were not. Some scientists have suggested that there is a continuum between parallel and convergent evolution, while others maintain that there are still substantial variations between the two despite some overlap.