Eric R. Pianc Evolutionary Convergence Of Different Species

Convergent Evolution

According to Eric R. Pianca, convergent evolution is, “the process by which unrelated or distantly related organisms evolve similar body forms, coloration, organs, and adaptations.” Natural selection can be a cause of evolutionary convergence. Species tend to have sympatry (interbreeding population that splits into several other species) and often mimic each other when they all live under similar circumstances and environments. There are two types of mimicry, which are Batesian and Mullarian.

Batesian mimicry is when an edible animal looks similar to a noxious animal that predators have learned to avoid. The nonpoisonous mimic doesn’t have the same defense mechanisms, but because they simply look like the dangerous models,

The Eastern Coral snake is venomous, while the Scarlet King snake is not. There have even been several experts that have died because of an incorrect identification of the snakes. Palatable (tasty) butterflies are often seen mimicking distasteful butterfly species. Often, only the female butterflies mimic. If it gets to the point where there are more mimics than models, predators might start actively searching out both the model and mimic. If the predators eat mimics, they will start searching for them, not knowing that the models taste nasty. For this reason, the amount of mimics need to stay smaller than the amount of

Similar environments hold the same kind of challenges related to reproduction and survival, causing the species to adapt similarly. The traits that they get from evolution depend on the predators and environment therefore, if both places have the same condition, oftentimes the two different species will gain the same traits through evolution and mimicry. According to Eric R. Pianca, “Such organisms that fill similar ecological roles in different, independently-evolved, biotas are termed ‘Ecological equivalents’.”

Convergence also can occur in unusual conditions where selective forces for the achievement of a mode of existence is particularly strong. Many animals have gone through convergent evolution including mice, moles, wombats, anteaters, cats, and wolves. Another example is the similar shape and coloration of fish and cetaceans. They adapted to the marine environment by developing a fusiform body along with gaining buoyancy which makes it easier for them to live in their marine environments. Many lizards, snakes, and flightless birds have also gone through the same