if 2 creatures evolved seperatly in differeny invironments could they evolve the same adaptions?

Question

or if 2 different animals which were ill adapted to 2 seperate but equal invironments were given time to evolve would they evolve into a smiliar creature because of there similar invironments

Answer 1

To answer the first question look at a bat and a dolphin. Both use echo location but they are to distinct animals who evolved separately. For the second question look at the whale and the shark. To separate species who are otherwise very similar physically due to the environment similarities.

Answer 2

Are the two creatures the same species? If they are then it is possible that they could develop the same adaptations. They probably would not be exactly the same, but very close. If they are two different species, then probably not. The adaptation might be similar, like a stronger jaw, but they would not present the same. A bird's "jaw" would mean a larger beak where a rats jaw would mean more muscular. And no, 2 different animals in a similar environment would not evolve into similar creatures. They would each occupy their own seperate niche in the environment.

Answer 3

It depends on what you mean about "2 different animals." The conditions necessary to reach an end result depend gretly on the starting material, if you get my meaning.

If you placed a mouse and a elephant on two separate continents which were otherwise exactly the same, no matter how long you gave them to evolve, they won't end up to be exactly the same. Of course, they might well adapt to their environment in similar ways - if it was a cold environment, they could find similar ways to cope with it (more/thicker body hair, perhaps), but it's more likely they'd find ways to adapt given their own starting body type (elephant gets a thicker coat of hair, but mouse hibernates).

You see what I mean?

There's also a SIGNIFICANT wrench thrown in the works when you take into account the random chance of mutation of every OTHER lifeform present - plant and animal, predator and prey. Over time, with or without those animals present, those "equal" environments will likely end up different in some ways, which in turn would affect the 2 animals in question.

Answer 4

As many others have already answered, it's called convergent evolution, and yes it can definitely happen.

One of the most spectacular and interesting incidents of convergent evolution is the evolution of sabre-toothed predatory mammals.

Sabre-teeth have evolved at least four times in different groups of mammals - twice just in the cats, plus there were also sabre-toothed hyaenodonts (extinct primitive carnivores in a totally separate line from all modern carnivores, including hyenas), and again in South America in a marsupial carnivore known as Thylacosmilus.

Here's a page that has some more information about them http://www.messybeast.com/cat-prehistory.htm

Other excellent examples of convergent evolution include the development of similar fossorial adaptations in moles, the golden moles of South Africa, and the marsupial moles of Australia.

Answer 5

some traits can evolve convergent-

for example the eye of the octopus, and the eye of humans are quite similar structurally but evolved separately.

Your second question has happened as well. Australia had (unfortunately now mostly extinct) at one time marsupial "equivalents" to the many of the large mammals of Africa that were surprisingly similar - even in behavior and appearance- although they evolved completely separate.

Answer 6

relies upon on the place you draw the line. The added you bypass lower back, the greater species are descended from a similar ancestors as human beings, till you come to the single ancestor ALL existence in the worldwide is descended from. in case you desire to verify a e book which describes this ok, get "The ancestor's tale" by Richard Dawkins (who may be slightly an overexcitable, sarcastic Brit while it is composed of religion, yet somewhat is an remarkable author while it is composed of evolution). *** "all of us more desirable from a common ancestor. approximately 14 million years in the past (unsure if it is precisely suited) there became a million sort of 'monkey'. As Pangaea cut up into different Continents the a million species of 'monkey' became separated into diverse terrains." which would be allopatric evolution. yet... pangaea broke up slightly longer than 14 million years in the past. Continental waft isn't THAT quickly.

Answer 7

The second is more likely than the first. Two different organisms are more likely to evolve along similar lines if their environment is the same and they fill the same niches with in that environment.

Answer 8

Humans evolved into separate species within similar environments to other apes. Different mutations may have lead to an increased survival, but along different evolutionary branches.

Answer 9

yes two species living in two different environments can have similar characteristics..

this may create an isolation between them that is they may be unable to mate with each other.

this type of isolation is called as ecological or habitat isolation.

darwins finches is another example in which same species of bird from north america developed their beaks and adaptef to the conditions of galapagous island.the birds living in the island were adapted to eat fishes while the former didnt have this evolution..

Answer 10

There are two types of Semi venemous snakes called vine snakes due to their camoflauge. One lives in South America and the other in Asia. They are Jungle dwelling snakes,bright green with narrow elongated heads and extremely narrow bodies giving them the resemblance of vines. The interesting thing is that they are completely unrelated to each other. Convergent Evolution its called. So I think we can answer yes to both your Questions.