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How could two species that evolved on separate continents have many similarities?
Wiki User
∙ 12y ago
It's called convergent evolution. Where two species that are separated by a barrier evolve similar structures or behaviors. This is because they most likely live in similar environments that cause them to adapt similar features to survive in that particular environment.
Wiki User
∙ 12y ago
Wiki User
∙ 14y agoDarwin once asked this question too. Then he answered it. It is from the idea that at one time the continents in the world were all joined up and so creatures moved around as the continents started to split the creatures where still moving around and therefore some were left in different continents. Also adaptations in different animals may be similar. And many creatures come from one common ancestor. All of these factors play into the answer of your question. Many science revision guides for Biology will give you a much better answer.
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How does comparing physiological similarities of living species provide evidence of?
Physiological similarities suggest the species evolved from the same ancestor.
Two populations have evolved into two different species when what has happened?
They diverged enough so that they can't crossbreed.
What can embryos tell us about evolution?
Actually yes it can. Embryos, DNA sequences, and fossils amongst others things can help show similarities within species. This can show that those species have similar traits because they evolved from a common ancestor. But those differences show why they are different species and thus evolving.
What can an embryo tell us about evolution?
Actually yes it can. Embryos, DNA sequences, and fossils amongst others things can help show similarities within species. This can show that those species have similar traits because they evolved from a common ancestor. But those differences show why they are different species and thus evolving.
What factor caused two populations to become reproductively isolated?
It usually is some sort of physical barrier like an large space between islands.
How could two species that evolved on different continents have many similarities?
A common ancestor.
How could two species that evolved on separate continents have similarities?
It's called convergent evolution. Where two species that are separated by a barrier evolve similar structures or behaviors. This is because they most likely live in similar environments that cause them to adapt similar features to survive in that particular environment.
What factor indicates that a population has evolved into 2 separate species?
The population has evolved into two separate species if the species in question no longer interbreed.
How does comparing physiological similarities of living species provide evidence of?
Physiological similarities suggest the species evolved from the same ancestor.
What Different types of Evidence used when comparing plant species?
Physiological similarities suggest the species evolved from the same ancestor.
What is so important about glossopteris?
Glossopteris is important because it is a genus of extinct seed fern that played a significant role in the theory of continental drift. Fossils of glossopteris plants have been found on multiple continents, providing evidence to support the idea that these landmasses were once connected as part of the supercontinent Gondwana.
How do fossils support the theory of pangaea?
Similar species of fossil can be found on separate, but adjacent, continents
Two populations have evolved into two different species when what has happened?
They diverged enough so that they can't crossbreed.
How has the movement of the continents affected the distribution of species?
what has the movement of the continents done to species
Where did the Neanderthal appear?
The Neanderthals were a separate human species that evolved in Europe. They are distinguished by their immense strength and adaptation to the extreme cold of the Ice Ages.
Did the tectonic plates separate Pangaea?
The plate tectonics are the mechanisms that started to drift Pangaea (super continent) into separate continents 200billion years ago into the continents we have today. :D
Cladistics is a way to separate animals into new species?
Yes and no. Primarily it is for figuring out evolutionary pathways...by grouping animals with similar traits into related families ("clades") it helps us to determine ancestry -- i.e. who evolved from whom...but because it deals with similarities and differences regarding traits, it can also be useful in determining speciation.
