Editing Convergent evolution (section)

{{Short description|Independent evolution of similar features}}
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{{Use British English|date=January 2017}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2022}}
{{Evolutionary biology}}
'''Convergent evolution''' is the independent [[evolution]] of similar features in species of different periods or epochs in time. Convergent evolution creates '''analogous structures''' that have similar form or function but were not present in the [[last common ancestor]] of those groups. The [[cladistic]] term for the same phenomenon is [[Cladogram#Homoplasies|homoplasy]]. The [[recurrent evolution]] of flight is a classic example, as flying [[pterygota|insect]]s, [[bird]]s, [[pterosaurs]], and [[bat]]s have independently evolved the useful capacity of flight. Functionally similar features that have arisen through convergent evolution are ''analogous'', whereas ''[[homology (biology)|homologous]]'' structures or traits have a common origin but can have dissimilar functions.  Bird, bat, and pterosaur [[wings]] are analogous structures, but their forelimbs are homologous, sharing an ancestral state despite serving different functions.

The opposite of convergence is [[divergent evolution]], where related species evolve different traits. Convergent evolution is similar to [[parallel evolution]], which occurs when two independent species evolve in the same direction and thus independently acquire similar characteristics; for instance, [[flying frog|gliding frog]]s have evolved in parallel from multiple types of [[tree frog]].

Many instances of convergent evolution are known in [[plant]]s, including the repeated development of [[C4 photosynthesis|C<sub>4</sub> photosynthesis]], [[seed dispersal]] by fleshy [[fruit]]s adapted to be eaten by animals, and [[carnivorous plant|carnivory]].