Question

The sugar glider and flying squirrel belong to two different groups of mammals, but they have both evolved bushy tails and flaps of skin that help them exploit their forest environments more efficiently. This pattern of evolution is an example of
A. Character displacement
B. Adaptive radiation
C. Convergent evolution
D. Divergent evolution

Answer 1

Evolution is the process by which diverse kinds of a living organism are supposed to have developed from earlier forms during the history of the earth.

Complete Answer:
- Convergent evolution is the process in which organisms that are not closely related independently grow similar features. Adaptations may take the appearance of similar body forms, colors, organs, and other adaptations that make up the organism’s phenotype.
- Convergent evolution creates parallel structures or homoplasies, those which have similar forms or functions between diverging species. But these were not present in the common ancestor. In another way, homologous structures. That a specific organ or bone which appears throughout many different organisms, even if in a slightly different form or shape and it can indicate a variance from a common ancestor.
- Several situations can result in convergent evolution. Habitually a union occurs when organisms are necessary to adapt to a similar environmental condition such as in the evolution of thick water-retaining leaves and spines on cacti and Euphorbia species which are modified to accept the conditions of extreme drought but are native to separate continents. It will also occur when two different organisms occupy a similar niche.
- Convergent evolution will also occur through impressions complexes in which organisms develop to reproduce the morphology of other species. This variation benefits the imitate either by way of protection when imitating the phenotype of an organism that is toxic or else dangerous or exploit a resource or interaction by being mistaken for the model.
- Sugar gliders are marsupial mammals and in the case of flying squirrels, they are placental mammals. It is one of the main examples for convergent evolution since the two diverse organisms individually build up traits like bushy tails and flaps of skin which are related in function under similar environmental pressure. So the correct option is, “Convergent evolution”.

Note: This process of convergent evolution is in contrast to divergent evolution. In this species which are closely associated evolve a different character and parallel evolution. Similar traits develop in related while distinct species from a common ancestor but different clades.