Concept explainers
To conclude:
About the evolutionary process that produces two unrelated species that share similar niches on different continents
Introduction:
For
Answer to Problem 32A
The evolutionary process that produces two unrelated species that share similar niches on different continents is convergent evolution.
Explanation of Solution
When unrelated species evolve similar traits even though they live in different continents, it is called convergent evolution. It occurs in environments that are geographically far apart but have similar ecology and climate.
For example the mara and the rabbit are unrelated, but they inhabit similar niches and so they have evolved similar morphology, physiology and behavior. The South American mara inhabited a niche that was occupied by the rabbit in Europe. The mara was more similar to other South American species than it was to rabbit because it shared a closer ancestor with the South American animals. Convergent evolution can also be seen between Australian marsupials and the placental mammals of other continents.
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