Correct option is B
The correct answer is (b) Convergences. This phenomenon is known as convergent evolution, where different species develop similar traits or life forms independently due to adapting to similar environmental pressures or ecological niches, even though they are geographically isolated.
Breakdown of Other Options:
1. (a) Endemics:
· Refers to species that are restricted to a specific geographical region and found nowhere else (e.g., the Galápagos tortoise).
2. (c) Speciation:
· The process by which new species evolve from existing species due to genetic divergence and reproductive isolation.
3. (d) Adaptive Radiation:
· Refers to the divergent evolution of a single ancestor into multiple species adapted to different niches (e.g., Darwin’s finches).
Information Booster 1. Convergent Evolution:
· Occurs when unrelated species evolve similar traits due to adapting to similar environments.
· Examples:
· Cacti (Americas) and Euphorbia (Africa) both have succulent stems to store water in arid conditions.
· Sharks (fish) and dolphins (mammals) both have streamlined bodies for efficient swimming.
2. Divergent Evolution:
· Opposite of convergence; related species evolve different traits due to different environmental pressures.
3. Parallel Evolution:
· Related species evolve similar traits independently after diverging from a common ancestor.
4. Adaptive Radiation:
· Single lineage evolves into multiple forms, each adapted to different environments (e.g., finches in the Galápagos Islands).
Additional Knowledge · Convergence in Vegetation:
· Similar vegetation types (e.g., deserts, grasslands) across different continents show convergence due to similar climate conditions.
· Example Biomes:
· Desert Plants: Cacti (North America) and Euphorbia (Africa).
· Grasslands: Pampas (South America), Steppes (Eurasia), and Prairies (North America).
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