Which of the following best illustrates **convergent evolution** (analogous structures arising independently)?
AForelimbs of human, whale and bat (homologous, common ancestor)
BWings of bird, bat and butterfly (analogous — independent solutions to flight)
CSickle-cell anaemia in humans
DIndustrial melanism in moths
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: B. Wings of bird, bat and butterfly (analogous — independent solutions to flight)
Convergent evolution: independent lineages evolve similar features in response to similar selective pressures. Wings of birds, bats and insects evolved independently from very different ancestral structures — analogous, not homologous. Homologous structures (option A) demonstrate **divergent** evolution from a common ancestor.
Related questions
**Ribozymes** are:Weismann's experiment of cutting rat tails for 21 generations disproved the theory of:Which of the following is **not** a force that changes allele frequencies (causing evoluti**Adaptive radiation** refers to:Which of these is a **post-zygotic** reproductive isolating mechanism?In a population, 16% individuals show a recessive phenotype (aa). Under Hardy-Weinberg, thIn a Hardy-Weinberg population, if the frequency of the recessive allele $a$ is $q = 0.3$,**Geographical (allopatric) speciation** occurs when: