Drag the tiles to the boxes to form complete pairs. Match each species with its mode of evolution. bees and flowers flying squirrel and flying phalanger convergent evolution coevolution divergent evolution cichlid fishes
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
Correct Matches:
- Bees and flowers — Coevolution
- Flying squirrel and flying phalanger — Convergent evolution
- Cichlid fishes — Divergent evolution
Explanation
Evolution refers to the change in the traits of biological populations over successive generations. There are several modes of evolution that explain how species change and relate to one another over time: coevolution, convergent evolution, and divergent evolution.
Coevolution occurs when two or more species influence each other’s evolution due to close ecological interactions. A classic example is bees and flowers. Bees rely on flowers for nectar, while flowers depend on bees for pollination. Over time, bees have evolved specialized structures to extract nectar, while flowers have adapted shapes, colors, and scents that attract bees. Each species has directly influenced the other’s adaptations, making this a clear case of coevolution.
Convergent evolution happens when unrelated species develop similar traits independently, often because they adapt to similar environments or ecological roles. The flying squirrel (North America) and the flying phalanger (Australia) are excellent examples. Though these mammals live on different continents and are not closely related, both have developed skin flaps that allow them to glide through the air. These similar traits evolved independently as adaptations to arboreal life, making this an instance of convergent evolution.
Divergent evolution describes how closely related species evolve different traits, often because they adapt to different environments. Cichlid fishes in African lakes are a perfect illustration. These fish evolved from a common ancestor but diversified into hundreds of species with varied jaw shapes and feeding strategies, allowing them to exploit different ecological niches in the lakes. Despite their shared ancestry, they look and behave very differently today — a hallmark of divergent evolution.
Understanding these modes helps scientists trace the evolutionary history of species and recognize how different environmental pressures shape biodiversity on Earth.
