What are some examples of divergent evolution?

Other Common Examples of Divergent Evolution Human and apes evolved from a common primate ancestor. Similarly, wooly mammoth and elephants have diverged from a common ancestor. Divergent evolution is exemplified in the diversity of orchids with different adaptive traits.

What is the evolution of cat?

The ancestor of modern domestic cats was the last to appear, about 3.4 million years ago. A small wildcat species was first domesticated in the Near East 8,000 to 10,000 years ago. As sea levels rose and fell, cats migrated to new continents and developed new species.

When did dogs and cats diverge?

Cats and dogs are both in the Carnivora order, but their last common ancestor lived about 42 million years ago. Since then they have diverged into feliforms (cats, hyenas and mongooses) and caniforms – a more diverse group that includes raccoons and walruses, as well as dogs.

What two animals show divergent evolution?

The Kit Fox and the Arctic Fox Two species that are very closely related and have undergone divergent evolution are the kit fox (Vulpes macrotis) and the Arctic fox (Vulpes lagopus).

Are humans and apes an example of divergent evolution?

Although humans and monkeys are genetically similar, their natural habitat required different physical traits to evolve for survival. If different selective pressures are placed on a particular organism, a wide variety of adaptive traits may result. There are many examples of divergent evolution in nature.

Are cats evolved from tigers?

The cuddly domesticated house cats we love so much today are in fact descendants of lions and tigers, who are successors of early carnivores known as miacids. From here modern wild cats evolved into three key species – the European wild cat, the African wild cat and the Asiatic desert cat.

Are humans closer to dogs or cats?

Cats and humans share 90\% of their DNA You read that right! Cats are genetically surprisingly closer to us than dogs, who share about 84\% of the genes with us (Pontius et al, 2007). You and your furry friend share a lot of the same sequences that help you eat, sleep and chase laser pointers.

What are some examples of convergent evolution?

Examples of convergent evolution include the relationship between bat and insect wings, shark and dolphin bodies, and vertebrate and cephalopod eyes. Analogous structures arise from convergent evolution, but homologous structures do not.

What are some examples of divergent evolution in animals?

Even though whales, cats, humans, and bats all are very different morphologically and in the niches they fill in their environments, the bones of the forelimbs of these different species are a great example of divergent evolution.

What is the evolution of the cat?

■ As sea levels rose and fell, cats migrated to new continents and developed new species. A diminutive wildcat in the Near East was domesticated 8,000 to 10,000 years ago. ■ Despite their evolutionary success, almost all wild cats are now threatened with extinction. —The Editors 209044#3 The Evolution ofCATS © 2007 SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN, INC.

What is the difference between adaptive radiation and divergent evolution?

Adaptive radiation may lead to divergent evolution over time as the new species become less similar, or diverge, in different directions on the tree of life. While it is a very fast type of speciation, divergent evolution generally takes more time.

What was the last common ancestor of modern cats and Lions?

© 2007 SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN, INC. www.SciAm.com SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN 71 Based on the fossil record alone, most re- searchers have accepted a cat called Pseudaelu- rus that lived in Europe nine million to 20 mil- lion years ago as the last common ancestor of modern felids.