Question

Describe (don't just list) two examples of convergent evolution (homoplasies) in the Protista (do not use animals, fungi or plants). You must specifically state which two organisms share the homoplasy. The lines are for the two organisms you are comparing and the space below it is for the description of the homoplasy. Write your answer in the format below:

1. taxon 1 and_ taxon2

They both have character "x" for the function of ...

2. taxon 3 and taxon 4

They both have character "y" for the function of ...

this is all the info that is given. There isn’t anything else to the question

Answer 1

Ans:

1.

taxon 1: Dinoflagellates

taxon2: Euglenophyta

They both have mainly mixotrophic type of mode of nutrition. When sunlight is present, they are amyotrophic (prepared own foods from sunlight) but when sunlight is unavailable, they can become heterotrophic (absorbing organic nutrients from their environment). Dinoflagellates are the group of protists under chromaalveolata and euglenophyta are the group of protists under excavata. Same type of mode of nutrition develop in two different lineages. So, mixotrophic type of mode of nutrition homoplasies character.

2.

taxon 3: Protozoa

taxon 4: Dinoflagellates

They both have character flagella for the function of locomotion. Dinoflagellates are the group of protists under chromaalveolata and mastigophora are the flagellated protozoa. Both the group use flagella for their locomotion but doesn't immediate common ancestor. So, flagella of protozoa and flagella of Dinoflagellates are homoplasies character.