Question

What is divergent evolution. Give an example?

Answer 1

Hint: Evolution is an adaptation of various species on the earth over time for their survival and continuation of the species. It may be defined as the changes which occurred over the years in which the changes in the characteristics of species occur over many generations to evolve better. It shows that the species which adapt themselves survive and continue to live and evolve different characters.

Complete answer:Comparing anatomy and the morphological features of different organisms whether show some similarities among organisms which are present today and those existed years ago or differences which occur over the years. These similarities can be used to find out whether common ancestors were shared or not among organisms. Term divergent evolution was first used by J.T. Gulick. Divergent evolution is defined as what occurs when two groups of species that are the same may evolve traits that are different within those groups to accommodate for different environments and social pressure. Examples of these pressures include food supplies and mating competition. Divergent evolution is also defined as the accumulation of differences that occur between closely related species leading to speciation among them. It typically is exhibited when two populations are separated because of a geographical barrier and it causes them to adapt to a new environment and derive different pressure to evolve. Cause for this divergent evolution includes predators and environmental changes.
A classical example of divergent evolution is Darwin's finches. When Darwin traveled to the Galapagos island he saw that different species of finches shared a common ancestor. He saw that they live on different diets and had their beaks according to their beak which is different in size and shape. These changes in their beaks let him know that they were required to adapt to their diet intake. Another example of divergent evolution is that the forelimb pattern of cheetahs, whales, and humans shows similarities. Though these forelimbs have different functions their anatomical structure is the same as all of them have a humerus, radius, ulna, carpals, metacarpals, and phalanges. In these animals, these structures developed along in different directions in response to adaptation to different needs. Therefore these structures are known to be analogous. Homology means common ancestry.

Note: Evolution is the result of natural selection. Because the resources are limited in nature and spices evolve therefore the organisms having favorable heritable traits survive and tend to reproduce that will produce their prophecies more superior causing this to increase traits in frequency over several generations.