This paper discusses the concept of convergent evolution and related structures. Convergent evolution describes the emergence of analogous or similar traits in different species but cannot be attributed to the presence of a common origin; that is, the analogy does not entail homology. There may be a phenotypic likeness; in this case, the ancestors share the overt characteristic yet have different basic Genomic information. Convergence occurs when species inhabit comparable environmental niches and evolve similarly in response to identical ecological influences. Analogous structures arise because of convergent evolution (Winemiller, Fitzgerald, Bower, & Pianka, 2015). As a result, convergent evolutionary happens when operationally identical features appear in entirely different species. Individually developed specialized eyes, for example, vertebrates, marine mollusks, and arthropods. Their eyes, on the other hand, are employed chiefly for vision. Although these creatures do not have a common ancestor with the ability of vision, their eyes “converged” for seeing since it appeared to be a helpful trait in their environment.
Analogous features are structures in different species that provide the same function but did not evolve from the same ancestor, meaning that they all evolved independently. Even though these people have the same anatomical traits and perform the same role, they are from separate evolutionary lineages. An insect’s wing and a bird’s wing are both similar appendages. These animals have wings and utilize them to fly, but their wings evolved in distinct ways. Therapod dinosaurs, particularly the Maniraptora species, are considered to be birds’ ancestors. In the case of insects, their evolutionary history is unknown (Winemiller, Fitzgerald, Bower, & Pianka, 2015). Therefore, homologous appendages do not have to be of the same structure. Birds’ wings are altered elongated limbs in general. Convergent evolution is the name given to this type of evolution.
References
Winemiller, K. O., Fitzgerald, D. B., Bower, L. M., & Pianka, E. R. (2015). Functional traits, convergent evolution, and periodic tables of niches. Ecology Letters, 18(8), 737-751.