Tasmanian wolf and placental wolf appear similar due to

Options

A. Chemical evolution
B. Divergent evolution
C. Convergent evolution
D. Biochemical evolution

Answer

**Step-by-Step Solution:**

1. **Identify the Organisms**: The question refers to the Tasmanian wolf and the placental wolf. It's important to note that the Tasmanian wolf (or Tasmanian tiger) is a marsupial, while the placental wolf is a placental mammal.

2. **Understand the Types of Mammals**:
- **Marsupials**: These are mammals that give birth to relatively undeveloped young, which then typically continue to develop in a pouch on the mother's belly. The Tasmanian wolf is an example of a marsupial.
- **Placental Mammals**: These mammals give birth to more fully developed young, as they have a placenta that nourishes the fetus during gestation. The placental wolf falls into this category.

3. **Geographic Distribution**: Marsupials, including the Tasmanian wolf, are primarily found in Australia and nearby islands, while placental mammals are found worldwide. This geographic confinement of marsupials is significant in understanding their evolution.

4. **Concept of Convergent Evolution**:
- Convergent evolution occurs when different species develop similar traits or adaptations independently, often because they live in similar environments or face similar challenges, despite having different ancestral origins.
- In this case, the Tasmanian wolf and the placental wolf have developed similar physical features (analogous structures) that allow them to adapt to similar ecological niches, despite their different evolutionary backgrounds.

5. **Conclusion**: The similarity between the Tasmanian wolf and the placental wolf is primarily due to convergent evolution, which results in analogous structures arising from different evolutionary paths.

**Final Answer**: The Tasmanian wolf and placental wolf appear similar due to convergent evolution.

---