What is an example of convergent evolution?

Convergent evolution refers to the process where different species independently evolve similar traits or adaptations in response to similar environmental pressures or challenges, despite not sharing a recent common ancestor. The wings of bats and birds serve as a prime example of this phenomenon.

Although bats are mammals and birds are a distinct class of animals, both have developed the ability to fly, which necessitated the evolution of wings. This characteristic enhances their survival and reproductive success in similar ecological niches, such as accessing food sources that are airborne. The underlying structures of bat wings, which are modified forelimbs, and bird wings, which consist of feathers, are fundamentally different; however, they both serve the same function, demonstrating how different evolutionary paths can lead to analogous solutions.

The other options describe scenarios that do not fit the definition of convergent evolution. Similar traits in related species represent divergent evolution, where common ancestors give rise to species that adapt differently. The evolutionary changes in mammals after the dinosaurs reflect the overall pattern of evolution following mass extinctions, and the emergence of mammals from reptiles depicts a lineage that is more representative of evolutionary transition rather than convergent traits.