Question

Hummingbirds and hummingbird hawk moth describes
A. Convergent evolution
B. Divergent evolution
C. Adaptive radiation
D. None of the above

Answer 1

Hint: There is an evolutionary relationship between Hummingbirds and Hummingbird hawk moth. Hummingbirds and hummingbird hawk moth have different origins. However, both of these have organs that perform the same kinds of functions.

Complete answer:
Hummingbirds are birds and a member of the class Aves. On the other hand, the Hummingbird hawk-moth is a type of insect belonging to the phylum Arthropoda. Both of these organisms possess wings. However, the wings of the Hummingbird are that of a vertebrate and the wings of the hummingbird hawk-moth are that of an invertebrate. Both of these wings perform a common function of flying. However, the anatomy and the morphology of both of these wings are totally different from one another. This means that their internal structures and external designs are different. Such kinds of structures are known as Analogous organs. Analogous organs indicate a convergent type of evolution. This is because anatomically varying organs evolved in the same direction i.e., function. This is known as converging, and hence, evolution is known as Convergent evolution. Therefore, convergent evolution is the evolution in which anatomically and origin wise dissimilar organisms or organs converged towards a common function or direction. Thus, Hummingbirds and hummingbird hawk moth describe convergent evolution.

Hence, the correct answer is option (A).

Note: Analogous organs are those organs that have different structures and origins but they perform similar kinds of functions. They can vary in morphology and anatomy. Due to this reason, analogous organs do not indicate common ancestry. However, analogous structures are evidence of the convergent evolution.