ipl-logo

Natural Selection Patterns Of Convergent Evolution

811 Words4 Pages

Convergent evolution can be defined as “the repeated evolution of similar traits in independent evolutionary lineages inhabiting similar environments” ( www.oxfordbibliographies.com/view/document/obo-9780199941728/obo-9780199941728-0038.xml) . It refers to the commonalities between two or more unrelated species, which arose as an outcome of adaptive evolution due to natural selection. Adaptive evolution is the changes which occur to a population due to environmental pressures. This pattern of evolution is an important phenomenon to the evolution theory, this is because it is evidence. Convergent evolution is displayed through analogous structures, which are shared by unrelated species that have had slightly different adaptations evolve, but with the same function. There are many examples of convergent …show more content…

This pattern of evolution, convergent evolution, arises when species are forced to adapt to similar environments, which can be due to Natural Selection (darwin ref). Natural Selection influences convergent evolution significantly. This is because it is the underlying mechanism behind this pattern of evolution. It influences convergence because it determines which traits are beneficial and will enable the individual to survive and reproduce, and which traits are not. “Natural selection is a process which individuals that have certain inherited traits tend to survive and reproduce at higher rates than other individuals because of those traits” (bio book ref). Therefore, when different taxes are living in similar environments or ecological niches, the environmental pressures are likely to be similar, therefore similar adaptations will evolve within the different species to help them to survive in their similar environments. As there are many unrelated species which

Show More
Related
1291 Words | 6 Pages

(R. Bijlsma, 2005). This process is known as genotypic adaptation or evolutionary adaptation. These phenomena are important from an evolutionary perspective. The possible occurrence of evolutionary adaptation and the rate at which it can proceed depends on the presence

Read More
261 Words | 2 Pages

Shirley Jackson tries to explain to the readers that lying to someone else about something important can often lead into more trouble. In the story, Laurie causes mischief at school, and lies to his parents that a boy named Charles caused all of the trouble that he had actually did. By creating Charles, Laurie had to keep lying to his parents in order for him to stay out of trouble at home. However, Laurie’s parents became suspicious of Charles when they found out that he became a helper at school, and later discovered themselves that Laurie was the source of the trouble within the classroom. This probably made his parents infuriated; more so than if he simply confessed earlier.

Read More
310 Words | 2 Pages

As seen by looking at the geologic time scale it is clear that different environments allow for different evolution to occur. The three theories

Read More
411 Words | 2 Pages

The elementary idea is that whenever there will be change, the organisms which are best suited to the environment or circumstances will thrive, these organisms will be developed successfully in the new circumstances. Those organisms that are not suited ideally or less suited, will not be able participate in competition; they will not be developed in the new environment. Darwin observed this in some

Read More
1316 Words | 6 Pages

For example, in an environment that is more arid, finches with beaks suitable for eating

Read More
863 Words | 4 Pages

For example the morlocks evolved to have eyes that see well in the dark, and the eloi become weak and frail due to the lack of work. Natural selection applies the traits most needed for survival and both parties received the traits most needed for survival even if the traits have down and up sides to them. That’s the reason why the morlocks don’t come to the surface to much due to the fact that the eyes that natural selection gave them are too sensitive to light. Also why the eloi weren’t able to protect themselves from the morlocks because they didn’t have to for so long. Even if the morlocks are physically superior to the eloi the traits that they were given work best in the environment they live in even if they were to take over the surface they wouldn’t be able to inhabit it for very long just for the nights when the moon isn’t out and that isn’t very often.

Read More
756 Words | 4 Pages

Discuss convergence in animals, providing examples from both arthropods and vertebrates. (discussing convergence in the phylum arthropods with examples from within this phylum and likewise for the vertebrates.) Convergent evolution is the process in which organisms which are not closely related derive akin traits separately due to the need for adaptation to similar environments or ecological niches. There may be resemblances at a phylogenetic level, but the basic DNA sequences are different. Morphologically, convergent evolution occurs when different species live in similar environments and hence adapt to the same environmental factors, such as challenges to reproduction and survival.

Read More
1347 Words | 6 Pages

Organisms can evolve to enhance their ability to catch prey, or flee predators. Coevolution occurs in a predator-prey relationship when the prey evolves in response to pressures exerted by its predator. The predator then evolves in response to the changes in the prey (or vice versa). Inheritable adaptive traits evolve through natural selection, the process by which organisms that have developed favorable traits are capable of surviving and reproducing at greater rates, thus passing their adaptive traits to their offspring. Birds and caterpillars have a predator-prey

Read More
502 Words | 3 Pages

With respect to variations that are advantageous to survival, he notes that a slim wolf is more likely to run faster, catch prey and escape from predators. He also states that plants with attractive petals and sweet nectar is more likely to attract more insects that will serve as agents of pollination for that plant. Regarding variations that are useful for sexual section but not directly useful for survival in nature, he mentions brightly colored feathers in male birds and the ability to perform the mating call well. These traits, although useful for finding mates and reproducing might not be useful for escaping from prey. On the issue of isolation and natural selection, Darwin talks about organisms on islands and the importance of the weaker organisms dying out leaving those who are best suited for the environment to reproduce and ensure longevity of the species.

Read More
918 Words | 4 Pages

Depending on the conditions of the environment, the organisms may pass down selected traits to their offspring. These selected traits will allow for the next generation to better adapt and survive longer ["Natural Selection and Speciation - Biology."]. One example of evolution through the process of natural selection is that of the Viceroy butterfly. The Viceroy butterflies were facing extinction a little more than 100 years ago due to their inability to protect themselves or hide from their predators; mainly birds.

Read More
133 Words | 1 Pages

In the article, Stephen Jay G. “The Structure of Evolutionary Theory” Stephen describes the content and discusses the history and origins of the three core commitments of classical Darwinism: that natural selection works on organisms, not genes or species; that it is almost exclusively the mechanism of adaptive evolutionary change; and that these changes are incremental, not drastic. Next, he examines the three critiques that currently challenge this classic Darwinian edifice: that selection operates on multiple levels, from the gene to the group; that evolution proceeds by a variety of multiples. This article

Read More
392 Words | 2 Pages

The process of evolution involves a series of natural changes that cause species to rise, adapt to their environment, then eventually become extinct. All species/organisms have went through the process of “biological evolution”.

Read More
1176 Words | 5 Pages

However, we also need to consider organism ability in adapting to extreme environment. Earth, as we all studied, used to be an extreme environment and it continued even after the first existence of life millions years ago. In accordance with Darwin Theory of Evolution, organism is not only effected by its genetic but also environment. Organism continues to develop itself in order to survive their environment. The traits of living things mentioned above are based on Earth’s perspective.

Read More
1657 Words | 7 Pages

“Knowledge within a discipline develops according to the principles of natural selection.” How useful is this metaphor? “It is not the strongest of the species that survive, nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change.” - Charles Darwin Charles Darwin, the father of the evolutionary theory, along with Alfred Wallace, a fellow naturalist, produced a joint publication introducing the world to a phenomenon that is applicable not only to the living species of the planet, but also every aspect of growth, knowledge and lifestyles throughout history- the theory of evolution and natural selection. Darwin stated that natural selection is a process through which organisms and species adapt to their environment.

Read More
1006 Words | 5 Pages

Three different sides will be discussed in this paper. First is the theory of natural selection, often called the survival of the fittest. Natural selection as quoted by the Merrium Webster Dictionary is, “a natural process that results in the survival and reproductive success of individuals or groups best adjusted to their environment and that leads to the perpetuation of genetic qualities best suited to that particular environment.” For example there is a litter of cats. One of these cats is a lot faster than the other cats and is therefore able to get food easier.

Read More

More about Natural Selection Patterns Of Convergent Evolution

Related Topics

Open Document