The sugar glider and flying squirrel belong to two different groups of mammals, but they have both evolved bushy tails and flaps of skin that help them exploit their forest environments more efficiently. This pattern of evolution is an example of

Character displacement

No worries! We‘ve got your back. Try BYJU‘S free classes today!

Adaptive radiation

No worries! We‘ve got your back. Try BYJU‘S free classes today!

Convergent evolution

Right on! Give the BNAT exam to get a 100% scholarship for BYJUS courses

Divergent evolution

No worries! We‘ve got your back. Try BYJU‘S free classes today!

Open in App

Solution

The correct option is C Convergent evolution
Sugar gliders are marsupial mammals and flying squirrels are placental mammals. It is an example of convergent evolution as the two diverse organisms individually develop the traits like bushy tails and flaps of skin which are similar in function under similar environmental pressure.
So, the correct option is 'Convergent evolution'.

Suggest Corrections

Similar questions

Q. Question 25
Some dinosaurs had feathers although they could not fly but birds have feathers that help them to fly. In the context of evolution this means that

(a) reptiles have evolved from birds
(b) there is no evolutionary connection between reptiles and birds
(c) feathers are homologous structures in both the organisms
(d) birds have evolved from reptiles

Q. Some dinosaurs had feathers although they could not fly but birds have feathers that help them to fly. In the context of evolution this means that _____________________.

Q. Some dinosaurs had feathers although they could not fly birds have feathers that help them to fly. In the context of evolution, this means that

Q. Flying squirrel and flying phalanger show convergent evolution. Justify.

All mammals, whale, dolphin, bat, monkey and horse have some important common characters, but they also show conspicuous differences. This is due to the phenomenon of:

Join BYJU'S Learning Program