Question

Picture shown below is example of:-

• A. Divergent evolution of Australian marsupials and placental mammals
• B. Convergent evolution of Australian marsupials and placental mammals
• C. Parallel evolution
• D. Homologous organs of both animals

Answer 1

The correct option is B Convergent evolution of Australian marsupials and placental mammals

The Tasmanian wolf, now extinct, was native to Australia, Tasmania and New Guinea. The Australian marsupials resemble placental mammals living today on other continents. The similarity between some individual members of the two sets of mammals argues strongly that they are the result of convergent evolution, similar forms having evolved in different isolated areas because of similar selective pressues in similar environments. Because selection in these instances has tended to favour changes that made the two groups more alike, their phenotypes have converged.