Whales and dolphins share a common ancestor with the hippo (diverged about 47 mya), they are essentially cousins. They look very different to each other. Is this an example of convergent or divergent evolution?.
Divergent
Dolphins and shares are both aquatic (live in water) carnivores. They have very similar adaptations. Are these adaptations homologous or analogous structures? Give a reason for your answer.
Analogous. They do not share a common ancestor, sharks are part of the fish group, where dolphins are part of the mammal group.
Define/explain 'Analogous structures'
Similar structural adaptations seen in unrelated/distantly related groups of animals (they do not share a common ancestor).
Define/explain 'Homologous structures'
Share a common origin, but do not necessarily perform the same function. The product of divergent evolution.
Are the following structures examples of homologous/analogous structures? Give a reason for your answer: Duck billed platypus (bill) -vs- Duck (billl)
Analogous. Ducks belong to the bird group and Platypus belongs to the mammal group. This means that they do not share a common ancestor.
Armadillos and Pangolins are not related. What possible reason can explain their similar adaptations and appearances?
They are adapted to similar environmental conditions (haitat) / food source / avoiding similar types of predators.
Explain what convergent evolution is.
When similar species evolve similar traits due to similar selective pressures.
True or False: In this phylogenetic tree, Species F is more closely related to Species D than it is to Species A.
True. D and F share a more recent common ancestor.
Will Species C and D be the product of convergent evolution or divergent evolution? What evidence from the tree can you use to support your answer?
Divergent, they share a common ancestor, they are sister species.
Explain what divergent evolution is.
When different species evolve from a shared common ancestor. They often show differences in the structure and function of similar body parts.
What is an adaptation?
A trait or characteristic of an organism that makes it specialized for survival (e.g. climate/ habitat/ survival/ food/avoiding predators/ reproduction)
What is the name of the branch of science that seeks to explain the distribution of life on our planet?
Biogeography
Give an example of an adaptation that an animal might have if it were adapted to very cold conditions.
Any appropriate example, e.g.: thick fur, fatty insulation, hibernation (behavioral adaptation).
Land bridges currently explain how the same/very closesly related species are found on separate continents (e.g. Brown bear). How/when are land bridges formed?
Land bridges form during ice ages when a lot of the sea's water is trapped in ice glaciers. This lowers the sea level and exposes land between some continents.
The camel is the poster child for desert mammals. What evidence suggests that deserts where not the original habitat of their ancestors?
Fossil fragments of camel ancestors were found in Northern Canada, and area with a very cold climate (Tundra biome).
Which groups currently make up the camel family (Camelidae) and where are they found?
Alpaca/llama group (South America) and camel group (Africa, Middle East, and Asia)
