Convergent Evolution of Cactus with other Succulents ... 1/3


[Scene: A plant market/show somewhere in the world.]

Buyer: I'll have that cactus there, please (pointing to a Euphorbia species)
Seller: Certainly Sir, that's $10, thanks!!.

convergent euphorbia [Director: Cut, lets do that scene again, but differently.]
[Take 2:]

Buyer: I'll have that cactus there, please (pointing to a Euphorbia species)
Seller: Sir, that's actually not a cactus, but a Euphorbia. It's an example of convergent evolution, whereby totally unrelated genera of plants evolve similar morphology to cope with similar conditions in different areas or even different continents. Euphorbias come from Africa and Cacti from the Americas, they are totally unrelated, but evolved similar structures to cope with the lack of water. I can sell you this nice cactus AS WELL so you can observe convergent evolution in your home. That's $20 for the euphorbia and the cactus please!!


Introduction

Completely unrelated plants and animals have evolved in similar ways to cope with similar environments or harsh conditions. This is because there are only a limited number of ways to adapt to the environment, as dictated by physical laws and feasibility.

For Example:

  • Fins on Dolphins(mammal), Sharks(fish) and Penguins(bird)
  • Wings on Birds, Bats(mammal) and the ancient pterodactyl(reptile)
  • The streamlined profile of the Shark and the whale
  • The spiny ant-eater (Australia) is NOT related to the giant anteater (Latin America)
  • and finally the succulent Euphorbias of Africa and the Cacti of the Americas.

continued on next page