This document discusses four patterns of evolution: adaptive radiation, where a single species evolves into many new species occupying different ecological niches; divergent evolution, the evolution of an ancestral group into many different forms; convergent evolution, the independent evolution of similar traits in distantly related species; and coevolution, the evolution of one species in response to changes in another interacting species. Examples are given for each pattern.
2. Patterns of Evolution
Adaptive radiation: The relatively rapid evolution of a
single species into many new species, filling a variety of
formerly empty ecological niches.
i.e. Galapagos finches have adapted to eat very specific diets
3. Patterns of Evolution
Divergent evolution: The large-scale evolution of a group
into many different forms
i.e. An ancestral mammal evolved into several of the mammals we
see today
4. Patterns of Evolution
Convergent evolution: The evolution of similar traits in
distantly related species.
i.e. Wings and fins evolved on distantly related species
5. Patterns of Evolution
Coevolution: A process in which one species evolves in
response to the evolution of another species.
i.e. Brazil nuts have evolved extremely hard shell, which have have
selected agouti with strong jaws and teeth that can open the shell
