Question
Read the following scenarios and determine each pattern of evolution being described.
Butterflies, bats, and birds all have wings that allow them to fly. Butterfly wings,
however, do not have bones like bat and bird wings do.
Butterflies, bats, and birds all have wings that allow them to fly. Butterfly wings,
however, do not have bones like bat and bird wings do.
Answers
GPT-4o mini
The scenario describes **convergent evolution**.
In this case, butterflies, bats, and birds have all evolved the ability to fly, but their wing structures are fundamentally different. Butterfly wings are made of chitin and do not have a bony structure, while bat and bird wings have a more complex skeletal structure. This shows that although these organisms are not closely related, they have evolved similar adaptations (i.e., wings for flight) in response to similar environmental challenges or needs, which is characteristic of convergent evolution.
In this case, butterflies, bats, and birds have all evolved the ability to fly, but their wing structures are fundamentally different. Butterfly wings are made of chitin and do not have a bony structure, while bat and bird wings have a more complex skeletal structure. This shows that although these organisms are not closely related, they have evolved similar adaptations (i.e., wings for flight) in response to similar environmental challenges or needs, which is characteristic of convergent evolution.