Covergent evolution in Australian marsupials and placental mammals

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Adaptive radiation in marsupials of Australia produced marsupial mole, numbat (anteater), marsupial mouse, spotted cuscus, flying phalanger, tasmanian tiger cat, tasmanian wolf etc in different habitats.

Adaptive radiation in placental mammals produced placental mole, anteater, mouse, lemur, flying squirrel, bobcat, wolf etc.

Marsupial mole and placental mole are similar in appearance and adaptations, flying squirrel (placental)  and flying phalanger (marsupial) are similar in appearance and adaptations, marsupial mouse and placental mouse are similar in appearance and adaptations.

The animals produced by adaptive radiation in marsupials and those produced by adaptive radiation in placental mammals show similarity in appearance and adaptations because  they evolved in similar habitats though where  due to similar environmental pressures they developed similar adaptations. This is an example of convergent evolution.

By. Ashwani. Biology teacher. Phagwara