Question

question 1(multiple choice worth 2 points)
(05 02a hc)
species of anteaters in australia, africa, and south america are not closely related. however, they share similar characteristics that they use to eat ants and termites, including a long sticky tongue, large salivary glands, and a rugged stomach. this is an example of
punctuated equilibrium, because one species evolved into several related species over a short period of time
convergent evolution, because different species developed similar adaptations in similar environments
adaptive radiation, because one species evolved into several different forms that occupy different niches
coevolution, because the evolving anteaters evolved together to interact with the changing environment

Explanation:

• Analyze Option 1: Punctuated equilibrium involves rapid evolution of one species into related species over short time, but the anteaters are not closely related, so this is incorrect.
• Analyze Option 2: Convergent evolution occurs when unrelated species develop similar adaptations due to similar environmental pressures (here, eating ants/termites in their habitats). The anteaters are from different regions (Australia, Africa, South America) but have similar traits for the same food source, fitting convergent evolution.
• Analyze Option 3: Adaptive radiation is one species evolving into multiple forms with different niches, but the anteaters are not from one common species, so this is wrong.
• Analyze Option 4: Coevolution is reciprocal evolution between interacting species, but the question is about anteaters' similar traits, not interaction with another species, so this is incorrect.

Answer:

B. convergent evolution, because different species developed similar adaptations in similar environments