Question

what happens in convergent evolution?
separate species develop from a single ancestral species.
features of organisms not closely related come to resemble each other due to similar selective forces.
different species unite into a single species by interbreeding.
different species share traits that they inherited from a shared ancestor.

Explanation:

Convergent evolution is when organisms not closely related evolve similar traits due to similar environmental pressures (selective forces). For example, wings of bats (mammals) and birds (aves) are not from a common wing -ed ancestor but evolved for flight (a similar selective force - need to move in air).

• The first option is divergent evolution (one species becoming many).
• The third option is incorrect as different species usually cannot interbreed to form one (except in some rare cases like plant polyploidy but not the norm for convergent evolution).
• The fourth option is homologous traits (from a common ancestor), which is not convergent evolution.

Answer:

Features of organisms not closely related come to resemble each other due to similar selective forces.