The entire group of animals known as marsupials (ex.:kangaroos, koalas and platypus) have adapted to having a pouch on their bodies, where their young can grow and develop. Marsupials were once related to other mammal, but are now reproductively isolated since being on the island of Australia for the last several millions years.

PATTERNS OF EVOLUTION

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Question [CLICK ON ANY CHOICE TO KNOW THE RIGHT ANSWER]

The entire group of animals known as marsupials (ex.:kangaroos, koalas and platypus) have adapted to having a “pouch” on their bodies, where their young can grow and develop. Marsupials were once related to other mammal, but are now reproductively isolated since being on the island of Australia for the last several millions years.

A	Allopatric speciation
B	Adaptive radiation
C	Convergent evolution
D	Coevolution
E	Sympatric Speciation

Explanation:

Detailed explanation-1: -Marsupials exhibit adaptive radiation into varieties of animals. Each of which appears to be similar to the corresponding placental mammal. This is called “convergent evolution”.

Detailed explanation-2: -Marsupials are characterized by premature birth and continued development of the newborn while attached to the nipples on the mother’s lower belly. While not a universal feature, many marsupial species have a pouch, also called a marsupium.

Detailed explanation-3: -Australia has about 120 species of marsupials, New Guinea has 53 species of marsupials, South and Central America have 90 species of marsupials, and North America has only two species of marsupials. Marsupials range in size from tiny shrew-like creatures (5 grams) to large kangaroos (over 200 pounds).

Detailed explanation-4: -Some Other Examples of Convergent Evolution Streamlined body shape of dolphins, sharks and (extinct) ichthyosaurs. The evolution of echolocation in whales and bats. The paired shell shape of bivalve mollusks and brachiopods. The silk producing ability of spiders, silk worms, silk moths and weaver ants.

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