Two species of damselflies that are not sister species independently evolve a new mating behavior.This pattern is an example of _______, which is a(n)______.
A) an evolutionary reversal; homoplasy
B) an evolutionary reversal; synapomorphy
C) convergent evolution; homoplasy
D) convergent evolution; synapomorphy
E) convergent evolution; evolutionary reversal

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

This is an example of convergent evolution because two distantly related species have independently evolved a similar trait. It is also an example of homoplasy because the new mating behavior has evolved independently in two different lineages and is not a shared derived characteristic (synapomorphy) of a common ancestor.

Two Species of Damselflies That Are Not Sister Species Independently