The opposite of convergent evolution is divergent evolution, where one evolutionary lineage splits apart overtime to give rise to different species. “Change is at the very core of evolution and without it, all creatures would look alike and behave in the same way.” - Martin Dansky The birds were subjected to similar environmental pressures and became more similar due to living in similar environments. One example of convergent evolution is the similarity between Asian fork-tailed sunbirds and North American hummingbirds, which look extremely similar despite coming from different evolutionary lineages. A reason this may occur is that species that live in similar environments are often subject to the same evolutionary pressures, and thus evolve to occupy the same or highly similar ecological niches. Divergent EvolutionĬonvergent evolution refers to the phenomenon where different species become more similar to one another over time. It’s important to understand the differences between the two types of evolution, as it gives context to the difference between analogous structures and another form of anatomical comparison known as homologous structures. There are different types of evolutionary patterns, convergent evolution and divergent evolution among them. Anatomical comparisons between species of animals are one of the most common ways that scientists determine the evolutionary history of different animals. How are analogous structures used to gain evidence for convergent evolution and what are some examples of analogous structures? Let’s take a look at some examples of analogous structures.Įvidence for evolution comes in many different forms, from fossils, DNA sequences, and the discipline of developmental biology among other sources. The study of analogous structures is a type of anatomical comparison between two different species, used to gain evidence for convergent evolution. Analogous structures are structures which serve similar purposes yet are found in species that have come from different evolutionary lines.
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