Patterns of Evolution

In the ocean surrounding Antarctica, there are fish that survive the cold water by using a molecule made of glycoproteins that circulates the blood and keeps it from freezing. Certain kinds of worms that live in the Arctic ocean also make antifreeze proteins that help them live in icy water.

• Convergent

• Divergent

• Coevolution

Ants are the correct size and weight needed to open the flowers for the peony plant. The peony plant provides food for the ant and the ant fertilizes the peony’s flowers

• Convergent

• Divergent

• Coevolution

Hummingbirds have a beak just the right length to reach the nectar in a cardinal flower and as they feed their foreheads bump into the pollen structure. Cardinal flowers are red which hummingbirds can see but bees can’t. Cardinal flower’s pollen structure is just the right length for the hummingbird to pick up pollen as it feeds

• Convergent

• Divergent

• Coevolution

The Galloti atlantica and Galloti galloti lizards evolved through natural selection from a common ancestor into a wide variety of different looking lizards.

• Convergent

• Divergent

• Coevolution

Whales, sharks, and penguins all have streamlined bodies and fins/flippers for moving in water even though they belong in different classes of animals (mammals, fish, and birds)

• Convergent

• Divergent

• Coevolution

The Galápagos tortoises share a common ancestor, but have necks of different lengths to best reach the food they need in their environment.

• Convergent

• Divergent

• Coevolution

This kind of evolution is proven by DNA analysis and results in organisms with different ancestors becoming more alike as they adapt to similar environments.

• Convergent

• Divergent

• Coevolution

Adaptive radiation is an example of this type of evolution

• Convergent

• Divergent

• Coevolution

The Galápagos finches evolved through natural selection from a common ancestor into a wide variety of different looking species.

• Convergent

• Divergent

• Coevolution

Ostriches (birds) and giraffes (mammals) are both native to the savannahs of Africa. They share the same characteristic of a very long neck.

• Convergent

• Divergent

• Coevolution