Question

Some beetles and flies have antler-like structures on their heads, much like male deer do. The existence of antlers in beetle, fly, and deer species with strong male-male competition is most likely an example of _____.

A) convergent evolution
B) a synapomorphy
C) homology
D) parsimony

Answer 1

A) convergent evolution

Step-by-step explanation:

Convergent evolution is a type of evolution that occurs when two or more different species evolve analogous structures independently. These structures, which are evolved independently by species that do no share the same ancestral origin, have the same form and are similar in function.

For example, beetle, fly and deer species have no common ancestral origin, but have evolved an analogous structure called antlers, which help them in competitions among their male counterparts.