Convergent Evolution

Convergent evolution is the process that makes species develop similarly, although independently of each other, as a result of having similar ecological roles and selection pressure. This gives credibility to the idea of "natural selection": greater reproductive success of different phenotypes resulting from the interaction of organisms with their environment. Convergent evolution shows that natural selection is a strong driving force of change. Due to the similarities in environments and external stimuli, species adapt similarly …

…have similar structure and function due to their functional adaptation to the environment, yet come from completely different ancestral genes. For example, the common structure of their long pointed noses has evolved to better equip them for eating small insects in trees. Studies show no common link of ancestry; therefore these changes have occurred independently through natural selection. This evidence supports the idea that convergent evolution is connected to natural selection due to the environment.