Question

Resemblance between widely different groups due to common adaptation is known as
A.Adaptive convergence
B.Adaptive divergence
C.Progressive evolution
D.Retrogressive evolution

Answer 1

The convergence or divergence in adaptation during evolution mainly depends on the type of adaptive radiation taking place in the population.

Complete answer:
Adaptive radiation is a process where a single organism branches out to form many different organisms.
In Adaptive convergence, the population living under the same conditions shows the same characteristic features.
Adaptive convergence allows different species that are not related to each other to adapt themselves and live in the same environment and these species differ in many aspects but the outer body pattern is almost similar in all of them due to the adaptation.
Adaptive convergence results in the formation of new species that corresponds to the already prevailing species.

Option A: Common adaptation is responsible for similarity in widely different groups that are not even related to each other, this type of evolution is known as Adaptive convergence. Therefore, this is the correct option.

Option B: Adaptive divergence is contrary to adaptive convergence where different environmental conditions lead to the formation of various species from a common species. Therefore, this is the incorrect option.

Option C: Progressive evolution is also known as orthogenesis which is a type of evolution where organisms evolve themselves toward a more advanced and complex form. Therefore, this is the incorrect option.

Option D: Retrogressive evolution is a type of evolution where a complex organism evolves itself to form a simple organism by losing some of its advanced evolved characteristics. Therefore, this is the incorrect option.

Hence, the correct answer is option (A)

Note: Some common examples of adaptive convergence include the development of wings in insects, bats, and birds for flight and similarity between the marsupial mammals and the eutherian mammals, For example, eutherian mole and marsupial mole, eutherian wolf, and Tasmanian wolf. Convergent evolution is also known as parallel evolution.