Convergent Evolution in Animal Locomotion

Students take simple measurements to model the procedure by which a group of researchers discovered an unexpected example of convergent evolution. Through data analysis and critical thinking, students learn how natural selection can result in the evolution of striking similarities among very different animals. Upon completion of this lesson, students will be able to:

• define convergent evolution and apply its definition to the question of why proportions of propulsors (wings, tail fins, etc.) are similar across different groups of animals;
• define adaptation and understand the criteria used to determine whether a trait is an adaptation or not;
• describe the mechanism by which adaptations spread in populations; and
• explain and apply the use of ratios when comparing measurements at different scales.