|
(parallelism) The development of similar adaptations in related organisms as a result of being subject to similar selection pressures. Thus the different species of a genus with a wide distribution may show the same adaptations to similar environments in widely separated regions. The development of divided submerged leaves in various species of crowfoot, e.g. water crowfoot (Ranunculus aquatilis) and river crowfoot (R. fluitans), is an example. However the phenomenon is not of widespread occurrence and some authorities deny its existence.
|
