Placental wolf and Tasmanian wolf marsupial exhibit

Options

A. Adaptive radiation
B. Divergent evolution
C. Convergent evolution
D. Homology

Answer

**Step-by-Step Solution:**

1. **Understanding the Organisms**: The placental wolf (a placental mammal) and the Tasmanian wolf (a marsupial) are two different types of mammals that have evolved in different ways. The placental wolf gives birth to fully developed young, while the Tasmanian wolf gives birth to underdeveloped young that continue to develop in a pouch.

2. **Identifying Their Origins**: The placental wolf and the Tasmanian wolf have different evolutionary origins. This means that they come from different ancestral lines and have evolved separately over time.

3. **Examining Their Habitats**: Despite their different origins, both types of wolves occupy similar ecological niches or habitats. They have adapted to similar environmental conditions and fulfill similar roles in their ecosystems.

4. **Recognizing the Evolutionary Concept**: Since these two species have evolved independently but developed similar traits due to occupying the same habitat, this is an example of convergent evolution. Convergent evolution occurs when unrelated species develop similar adaptations in response to similar environmental challenges.

5. **Evaluating Other Options**:
- **Adaptive Radiation**: This refers to the diversification of a group of organisms into forms filling different ecological niches, which does not apply here.
- **Divergent Evolution**: This occurs when two or more related species become more dissimilar over time, which is not the case for these two wolves.
- **Homology**: This refers to traits inherited from a common ancestor, which does not apply since the two wolves do not share a recent common ancestor.

6. **Conclusion**: Therefore, the correct answer is that the placental wolf and the Tasmanian wolf exhibit convergent evolution.

**Final Answer**: The placental wolf and Tasmanian wolf exhibit convergent evolution.

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