Journal de la biodiversité et des espèces menacées

A Fascinating Example for Convergent Evolution: Endangered Vultures

Abstract

Michael ONeal Campbell

Convergent evolution, an extremely important topic within biodiversity studies, refers to the independent development of similar features in the descendants of different ancestral groups. The variably derived descendants may be similar, depending on the analogues or similar features. New and Old World vultures are an interesting example of convergent evolution. They have similar ecological roles, food habits and features and like the hawks and owls, may have evolved from different species. This convergence may be due to similar ecological conditions that may result in similar trajectories in different species, genera, families or even Orders.