Five+Patterns+of+Evolution

Five Patterns of Evolution There are five main patterns of evolution. They are:
 * **Divergent evolution**
 * **Convergent evolution**
 * **Parallel evolution**
 * **Coevolution**
 * **Adaptive evolution**


 * Divergent evolution** is when two related species are evolving to become more and more dissimilar (1). An example of divergent evolution is the red and the kit fox. The red fox lives in farmlands and forests where its red color easily camouflages it, as compared to the kit fox who lives on the plains and in deserts where it is also easily camouflaged by its sandy coloring. Also, the kit fox has larger ears as apposed to the red fox. These characteristics show a common ancestor between the two, however, they are evolving farther and farther apart.


 * Convergent evolution** is the opposite of divergent evolution. Instead of growing farther apart, two unrelated species evolve to be more and more similar (2). An example of convergent evolution is a cactus which grows in the American deserts and the euphorbia, who grows in African deserts. Both plants have fleshy stems loaded with spines which help the plants store water and ward off predators.


 * Coevolution** is when one species evolves in response to another species evolution. Brown.edu says that "reciprocal evolutionary change" is the "strict definition of coevolution (3)." An example of coevolution is when a plant's morphology changes, thus affecting the herbivore that eats the plant, which could affect the evolution of the plant, then the animal again, so on and so forth (4).


 * Parallel evolution** is when unrelated organisms evolve to develop the same characteristics or mechanisms because of their environment (5). A common example of parallel evolution would be in the plant kingdom, where leaf patterns have reappeared multiple times in different families and species (6).


 * Adaptive evolution** is exactly what the name implies--evolution that occurs over time helping an organism adapt better to its environment. An example of this would be a horses' ability to grind its food, or run fast to escape predators (7).

(1) Patterns of Evolution (2) Patterns of Evolution (3) Coevolution (4) Evolution 101: Coevolution (5) Parallel Evolution (6) Parallel Evolution (7) Adaptation