Related species become increasingly different as they adapt to separate environments.
Populations from a common ancestor accumulate differences as they adapt to different niches, possibly leading to speciation. Homologous structures are the signature of divergence.
Related species become increasingly different as they adapt to separate environments.
Divergent Evolution is one of the 53 topics in Evolution. It is rated Intermediate, so it suits learners who already know the core vocabulary. Related topics in this area include Allopatric Speciation, Homologous Structures, Speciation.
The many forms of mammalian forelimbs from the ancestral pentadactyl limb.
Work through the Beginner topics in Evolution first, such as Evolution, Natural Selection, Charles Darwin, then return to Divergent Evolution. Intermediate topics assume the Beginner vocabulary.
The closest topics to Divergent Evolution are Allopatric Speciation, Homologous Structures, Speciation, Molecular Clock. Comparing them side by side is a good way to see how the ideas connect.
Read the summary and the in-depth section, then use the quick check on the interactive lesson for Divergent Evolution. To practise the whole of Evolution, use the Evolution quiz.
Divergent Evolution: Related species become increasingly different as they adapt to separate environments. Allopatric Speciation: Speciation after a geographic barrier separates populations, as with Darwin's finches on separate islands. Read both side by side and note what each one explains.
First, read the summary and write the definition in your own words. Second, read the in-depth section and note any example. Third, compare it with Allopatric Speciation and explain the difference aloud. Finally, take the Evolution quiz and come back to this page for any question you miss.
Speciation after a geographic barrier separates populations, as with Darwin's finches on separate islands.
🦎 EvolutionBody parts with similar structure from a common ancestor but different functions, like a human arm and bat wing.
🦎 EvolutionThe formation of new species when populations diverge enough to become reproductively isolated.
🦎 EvolutionUses the steady rate of neutral mutations to estimate when lineages diverged.
🦎 Evolution