What is Convergent evolution?
'''Convergent evolution''' is a process in [[biology]]. It occurs when two [[species]] from different lines develop the same [[Trait (biology)|traits]] or features. This happens because they live in similar [[habitat]]s, and have to develop solutions to the same kind of problems.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.emc.maricopa.edu/faculty/farabee/BIOBK/BioBookglossC.html |title=Online Biology Glossary |access-date=2008-05-03 |archive-date=2010-02-01 |archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/5nDkWDsWA?url=http://www.emc.maricopa.edu/faculty/farabee/BIOBK/BioBookglossC.html |url-status=bot: unknown }}</ref> [[File:Astrophytum asterias1.jpg|thumb|200px]] [[File:E obesa symmetrica ies.jpg|thumb|200px|These two succulent plant genera, ''[[Euphorbia]]'' and ''[[Astrophytum]]'', are only distantly related. They have converged on a very similar body form]] [[File:Fossa.jpg|thumb|right|A good example of [[Madagascar|Malagasy]] convergent evolution is the [[fossa (animal)|fossa]], a Malagasy carnivore ''Cryptoprocta ferox'' <br/>This has evolved in appearance and behaviour to be so like a large cat that it was originally classified in the [[Felidae]], but in fact it is closely related to the [[mongoose]]]] Similarity in traits can occur in two ways. Both [[species]] might have acquired the trait by descent from a [[common ancestor]]. In this case the structures are '''homologous'''. An example is the tetrapod limb, which has been inherited from early tetrapods in the late [[Devonian]]/early [[Carboniferous]], about 360 million years ago. On the other hand, both might be independent [[adaptation]]s to similar conditions in their [[habitat]]. In this case the structures are '''analogous'''. Convergent evolution leads to analogous features. == Examples == * Wings: the [[wing]]s of [[insect]]s, [[bird]]s, [[bat]]s and [[pterosaur]]s are similar to a certain degree. In particular, they are all thin and strong, with a wide surface area. The wings can be mechanically moved in a regular way so as to create lift; and so on. In each c