Definitions for convergent evolution
con·ver·gent evo·lu·tion

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1. convergent evolutionnoun

   A trait of evolution in which species acquire similar properties because of their advantageousness.

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1. Convergent evolution

   Convergent evolution is the independent evolution of similar features in species of different periods or epochs in time. Convergent evolution creates analogous structures that have similar form or function but were not present in the last common ancestor of those groups. The cladistic term for the same phenomenon is homoplasy. The recurrent evolution of flight is a classic example, as flying insects, birds, pterosaurs, and bats have independently evolved the useful capacity of flight. Functionally similar features that have arisen through convergent evolution are analogous, whereas homologous structures or traits have a common origin but can have dissimilar functions. Bird, bat, and pterosaur wings are analogous structures, but their forelimbs are homologous, sharing an ancestral state despite serving different functions. The opposite of convergence is divergent evolution, where related species evolve different traits. Convergent evolution is similar to parallel evolution, which occurs when two independent species evolve in the same direction and thus independently acquire similar characteristics; for instance, gliding frogs have evolved in parallel from multiple types of tree frog. Many instances of convergent evolution are known in plants, including the repeated development of C4 photosynthesis, seed dispersal by fleshy fruits adapted to be eaten by animals, and carnivory.

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1. Convergent evolution

   Convergent evolution describes the acquisition of the same biological trait in unrelated lineages. The wing is a classic example of convergent evolution in action. Flying insects, birds, and bats have all evolved the capacity of flight independently. They have "converged" on this useful trait. The ancestors of both bats and birds were terrestrial quadrupeds, and each has independently evolved powered flight via adaptations of their forelimbs. Although both forelimb adaptations are superficially "wing-shaped," they are substantially dissimilar in construction. The bat wing is a membrane stretched across four extremely elongated fingers, while the airfoil of the bird wing is made of feathers, which are strongly attached to the forearm and the highly fused bones of the wrist and hand, with only tiny remnants of two fingers remaining, each anchoring a single feather. So, while the wings of bats and birds are functionally convergent, they are not anatomically convergent. Traits arising through convergent evolution are termed analogous structures, in contrast to homologous structures, which have a common origin. Bat and pterosaur wings are an example of analogous structures, while the bat wing is homologous to human and other mammal forearms, sharing an ancestral state despite serving different functions. Similarity in species of different ancestry that is the result of convergent evolution is called homoplasy. The opposite of convergent evolution is divergent evolution, whereby related species evolve different traits. On a molecular level, this can happen due to random mutation unrelated to adaptive changes; see long branch attraction. Convergent evolution is similar to, but distinguishable from, the phenomena of parallel evolution. Parallel evolution occurs when two independent but similar species evolve in the same direction and thus independently acquire similar characteristics—for instance gliding frogs have evolved in parallel from multiple types of tree frog.

How to pronounce convergent evolution?

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How to say convergent evolution in sign language?

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of convergent evolution in Chaldean Numerology is: 8

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of convergent evolution in Pythagorean Numerology is: 4

Examples of convergent evolution in a Sentence

1. Vanessa De Pietri:

   Whats remarkable about all this is that plotopterids and ancient penguins evolved these shared features independently, this is an example of what we call convergent evolution, when distantly related organisms develop similar morphological traits under similar environmental conditions.

References

1. ^ Wiktionary
   https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Convergent_Evolution
2. ^ Wikipedia
   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Convergent_Evolution
3. ^ Wikidata
   https://www.wikidata.org/w/index.php?search=convergent evolution