AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -We know that dolphins and sharks are not closely related, and they didn’t inherit their similar body shapes from a common ancestor. Their streamlined bodies, dorsal fins and flippers are the result of convergent evolution .

Detailed explanation-2: -Streamlined bodies and fins are traits that dolphins and sharks evolved separately, both as adaptations for swimming. This means that sharks’ and dolphins’ similarities (body shape, fin, and flippers) are convergent traits that each lineage evolved independently.

Detailed explanation-3: -Dolphins and sharks both have dorsal fins on their backs, two pectoral fins on their sides, and a tail.

Detailed explanation-4: -Whales, sharks and seals have different ancestral origin but they have evolved their limbs for the function of swimming. These limbs are called analogous organs and they point towards a convergent evolution.

Detailed explanation-5: -Another example of analogous structures are dolphins and sharks as whole species. Although we might think of dolphins and sharks as being relatively similar, their morphology says otherwise. Dolphins are mammals that have live births and have fins with a homologous structure to human arms.