Question

New World Monkeys and seahorses both use their tails for grasping. This trait (prehensile tail) is _______, the product of _______ evolution?

1) analogous : divergent
2) homologous : divergent
3) homologous : convergent
4) analogous : convergent

Answer 1

The prehensile tail trait found in both New World Monkeys and seahorses is an analogous trait resulting from convergent evolution, where different species evolve similar traits independently. 4) analogous : convergent is the correct answer.

Step-by-step explanation:

The prehensile tail used for grasping by both New World Monkeys and seahorses is an example of an analogous trait. This means that the trait is the product of convergent evolution. Analogous traits arise when different species independently evolve similar solutions to comparable environmental challenges, despite not sharing a recent common ancestor.

In the case of New World Monkeys and seahorses, although they both have prehensile tails that serve a similar function in different habitats (trees for monkeys and water for seahorses), these tails developed independently in these two lineages as adaptations to their respective environments. Consequently, the correct answer to the question is 4) analogous : convergent.