Difference between Divergent Evolution and Convergent Evolution

Difference between Divergent Evolution and Convergent Evolution

Divergent Evolution	Convergent Evolution
The process of accumulation of differences between groups which can lead to the formation of new species, usually a result of diffusion of the same species to different and isolated environments.	The process whereby organisms not  closely related (not monophyletic), independently evolve similar traits as a result of having to adapt to similar environments or ecological niches.
Both the woolly mammoth and the elephant originated from a common ancestor, but the common ancestor eventually diverged, leading to two new species.	Two species that are not necessarily closely related develop similar features often as a result of adaptation to similar conditions. For example, consider the flying squirrel and sugar glider:
Both the wooly mammoth and the elephant originated from a common ancestor, but the common ancestor eventually diverged, leading to two new species.	These two species look very similar but are not closely related. Flying squirrels are placental mammals like whales, dogs, and humans, whereas sugar gliders are marsupials like kangaroos and possums. The species’ current similarity is an example of convergent evolution; they have begun to look more similar due to similar adaptations, not because of common ancestry.
– When a species diverges over time into two different species, resulting in a species becoming less like the original one – Live in different ways than the common ancestor – Caused by migration or nearby extinction of a nearby environment – Prime example are the dinosaurs	– When unrelated organisms evolve similarities when adapting to similar environments – Live in the relatively same way as each other – Emus, rheas, and ostriches are prime examples of convergent evolution
Occurs due to geologically different habitat. For instance -studying the comparative anatomy of paddles of the whales, forearm of the horses, patagia of the bats all have the same basic plan called the pentadactyl but  significantly modified according to the need..The paddles of the whales for swimming, forearm of the horse for cursorial adaptation and patagia of bats for flying.  -divergent evolution are of great significance	– it is caused due to the similar needs demanded by the local environment. – for example.. if you studied the comparative anatomy of the wings of the insect and the bird, you will find that they are quite similar morphologically but their ontogeny and phylogeny will reveal the great difference.. birds wings are forearms( pentadactyl) cladded with feathers derived from exoskeleton but the wings of insects are membranous outgrowth with nervules from the haemocoel.. – also the body of the fish and the cetaceans ( whales, dolphins) – eyes of the cephalopods and the vertebrates
Development of different functional structures from a common ancestral form is called divergent evolution.   Homologous organs show divergent evolution. Examples: Darwin’s Finches, Australian Marsupials, locomotion in mammals.	Development of similar adaptive functional structures in unrelated groups of organisms is called convergent evolution.   Analogous organs show convergent evolution. Examples: Australian Marsupials and Placental mammals, various aquatic vertebrate and wings of insect, bird and bat.

contents represented here are copied/modified from other sources  due credit to Diffen