Evolutionary Matching Game

Match each species with its mode of evolution:

A) Bees and flowers

B) Cichlid fishes

C) Flying squirrel and flying phalanger

Final answer:

Bees and flowers display ____, cichlid fishes showcase ____, and both the flying squirrel and the flying phalanger are products of ____.

Bees and flowers display ____, cichlid fishes showcase ____, and both the flying squirrel and the flying phalanger are products of ____.

The student asked to match each species with its mode of evolution. Let's uncover the answers:

A) Bees and flowers

Bees and flowers are examples of coevolution, a fascinating process where two or more species influence each other's evolution. In this case, flowering plants and their pollinators have evolved together, developing matching structures to make pollination more efficient.

B) Cichlid fishes

Cichlid fishes are known for adaptive radiation, a phenomenon where a single species diversifies into many different species to occupy various ecological niches. This is commonly seen in environments like the African Great Lakes, where cichlids have evolved into a wide array of species with diverse feeding habits.

C) Flying squirrel and flying phalanger

Both the flying squirrel and the flying phalanger are examples of convergent evolution. Despite not being closely related, these species have independently evolved similar adaptations for gliding through the air. This showcases how distantly related species can develop comparable traits in response to similar environmental pressures.