Occurs when a single species evolves into a number of distinct, but closely related species. Each species fills a different ecological niche.
Adaptive Radiation
13 species of finch birds live in the Galapagos Islands
Divergent Evolution
Large-scale evolution of a group into many different forms. Favoured by natural selection.
Divergent Evolution
Ontario has over 20 species of closely related rodents like deer mouse, flying squirrel, porcupine & beaver
Convergent Evolution
Occurs when two or more species become increasingly similar in phenotype in distantly related species.
Convergent Evolution
Sharks and Dolphins have similar body shapes
Homoplasies
Similar traits found in two or more different species, resulting from convergent evolution or from reversals, not from common descent; also called analogous features
Homoplasies
Both sharks and dolphins have very similar streamlined bodies well suited for high speed
Coevolution
Coevolution exists when two species are dependant on each other for their survival. As species coevolve, one or both species may become increasingly dependent on the other.
Coevolution
Brazil nut trees have evolved extremely hard protective shells, while the agouti (rodent) is the only mammal with jaws and teeth strong enough to bite open the shell
