Which of the following is an example of homoplasy? a. hair in humans and fur in mice b. astragalus ankle bones in hippos and deer c. Hox genes in humans and flies d. streamlined bodies in dolphins and ichthyosaurs

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the definition of homoplasy: Homoplasy refers to a trait that has evolved independently in different species, not due to a common ancestor but due to similar environmental pressures or evolutionary paths.
2. Analyze each option to determine if it represents homoplasy: a) Hair in humans and fur in mice - This is not an example of homoplasy as both traits are likely inherited from a common mammalian ancestor. b) Astragalus ankle bones in hippos and deer - This is also not an example of homoplasy; both species are ungulates and share a common ancestor. c) Hox genes in humans and flies - This is not homoplasy; Hox genes are highly conserved across many species due to common ancestry. d) Streamlined bodies in dolphins and ichthyosaurs - This could be an example of homoplasy as these species do not share a close common ancestor but have developed similar body shapes due to similar aquatic lifestyles.
3. Determine which option best fits the definition of homoplasy: From the analysis, option d (streamlined bodies in dolphins and ichthyosaurs) fits the definition of homoplasy because these traits evolved independently in response to similar environmental challenges, not due to a shared ancestor.
4. Conclude that the correct answer is: d. streamlined bodies in dolphins and ichthyosaurs
5. Understand the importance of homoplasy in evolutionary biology: Recognizing homoplasy helps biologists understand how different species adapt to similar environments through convergent evolution, highlighting the dynamic and complex nature of evolutionary processes.

Key Concepts

Homoplasy

Homoplasy refers to a trait that is shared by a group of organisms but did not originate from a common ancestor. This can occur through convergent evolution, where different species independently evolve similar traits as adaptations to similar environments or ecological niches.

Convergent Evolution

Convergent evolution is the process where organisms from different evolutionary backgrounds develop similar traits or adaptations in response to similar environmental challenges. This phenomenon highlights how similar selective pressures can lead to analogous structures, despite different ancestral origins.

Analogous Structures

Analogous structures are body parts in different species that perform similar functions but do not share a common evolutionary origin. These structures arise from convergent evolution and illustrate how different species can adapt similarly to their environments, despite their distinct lineages.