Parallelism is

Options

A. adaptive divergence in evolution
B. adaptive convergence of widely different species in evolution
C. adaptive convergence of closely related species in evolution
D. none of the above

Answer

**Step-by-Step Text Solution:**

1. **Understanding Parallelism**: Parallelism in evolution refers to the phenomenon where different species develop similar traits or adaptations independently, but these species share a common ancestor. This means that the traits are not a result of convergent evolution (which occurs between unrelated species) but rather a result of closely related species adapting to similar environments or challenges.

2. **Identifying Key Characteristics**: The key characteristics of parallelism include:
- Development of adaptive traits.
- Similar functional traits in different species.
- These species must have a common ancestral origin, indicating that they are closely related.

3. **Analyzing the Options**:
- **Option A**: "Adaptive diversions in evolution" - This is incorrect because parallelism involves convergence, not divergence.
- **Option B**: "Adaptive conversions of widely different species in evolution" - This is also incorrect as it refers to widely different species, while parallelism involves closely related species.
- **Option C**: "Adaptive conversions of closely related species in evolution" - This is correct as it aligns with the definition of parallelism.
- **Option D**: "None of the above" - This is incorrect since option C is valid.

4. **Conclusion**: Based on the analysis, the correct answer is **Option C: Adaptive conversions of closely related species in evolution**.

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