Question

Provide a DETAILED response and compare the concept of coevolution to the concept of convergent evolution by giving an example of each and explain how the example you chose demonstrates that concept.

Answer 1

Evolution is an orderly change from one form to another

The concept of coevolution.

Coevolution is the evolution in which two or more species are linked to each other for their existence.This can be better explained by an example,i.e; if there occurs an evolutionary change in case of a plant,then that would affect the herbivore that feeds on that particular plant,which would then gradually result in some evolutionary changes in that animal.Some examples of coevolution are as mentioned below:

• prey-predator relationship
• parasite-host relationship
• pollinator-plant relationship Coevolution majorily invoives the concept of reciprocal selective pressure on species. Relationship between acaian ants and acacia plant pose a very good example.The thorns of this plants are hollow and produce nectar,this nectar is indeed used by the  ant larvae.The ants in turn provide a defence mechanism for these plants against herbivores and other insects.

The concept of convergent evolution.

Convergent evolution is an example of adaptive radiation.Adapative radiation is the process of evolutionof different species in a given geographical starting from one area and then radiating to other areas,or in other words ,due to some reasons  a single ancestral species evolve into different species which occupy differen habitats.Many placental mammals resembled the marsupial mammals in structure and their way of life. Since they live in similar ecological niches many a characters have converged and resulted in the emergence of similar looking animals in both the group. Example for convergent evolution is shark and dolphin( have analogus structures )