Explain how Darwin/Wallace’s theory of evolution by natural selection and isolation accounts for convergent evolution - HSC - SSCE Biology - Question 26 - 2014 - Paper 1

Natural selection is the process by which certain traits become more common in a population because they confer a survival advantage. Variants of a species that possess beneficial traits are more likely to survive and reproduce, passing those traits on to future generations.

A classic example of convergent evolution is observed in dolphins and sharks. Dolphins are mammals, while sharks are fish. They inhabit similar aquatic environments and face comparable selective pressures, leading them to develop streamlined bodies that enhance movement in water, despite their different evolutionary backgrounds.

Isolation can lead to divergent evolution, but when species face similar environmental challenges without direct interaction, they may evolve analogous structures through convergent evolution. In this context, while natural selection drives the adaptation, geographic or temporal isolation reinforces the distinct evolutionary paths that result in similar adaptations.

In summary, Darwin and Wallace's theory emphasizes that natural selection fosters adaptation in response to environmental pressures. Convergent evolution exemplifies this by showing that unrelated species can develop similar traits when exposed to analogous challenges, demonstrating the powerful influence of natural selection across different evolutionary lineages.