Question

Parallelism is
A)Adaptive divergence in the evolution
B)Adaptive convergence of widely different species in evolution
C)Adaptive convergence of closely related species in evolution
D)None of the above

Answer 1

Hint: An independent species exhibit similar characteristics while evolving together at the same time in the same space known as parallel evolution. In this type of evolution, species are similar in character and the ancestors share that similarity.

Complete answer:
-When two or more than two species in the same environment, develop the same adaptation or characteristics known as parallel evolution.
Example - North American cactus and the African euphorbia. They both develop a similar adaptation of thick stems and sharp quills so that they are able to survive the hot and arid climates. These two plants belong to different plant families but living in the same environment.
-Marsupials mammals in Australia and placental mammals on another continent is another example of the evolution of adaptive features between two groups of organisms living in similar habitats.

Additional Information: Different patterns evolved over time during evolution. The different factors to which the species are exposed are evolved by them over time under pressures such as environment and predation. According to which there are three types of evolutions - divergent, convergent, and parallel evolution.
-Depending on the two unrelated species evolve similar traits, parallel evolution is similar to convergent evolution.
-While living in the same type of environment that two species exhibit the same trait known as parallel Revolution whereas in convergent evolution, the species while living in the different types of environment exhibit the same trait.
-In comparison to both, divergent evolution is different. This species diverges into two or more descendant species which results in a species having dissimilar characteristics.

So, the correct answer is,” adaptive convergence of closely related species in evolution”.

Note:
-The species show morphological resemblance in parallel evolution.
-It occurs mainly when two species evolve independently and maintain the same level of similarity.
-It generally occurs between unrelated species who do not exhibit the same or similar niches in a given habitat