The following sections of this BookRags Literature Study Guide is offprint from Gale's For Students Series: Presenting Analysis, Context, and Criticism on Commonly Studied Works: Introduction, Author Biography, Plot Summary, Characters, Themes, Style, Historical Context, Critical Overview, Criticism and Critical Essays, Media Adaptations, Topics for Further Study, Compare & Contrast, What Do I Read Next?, For Further Study, and Sources.
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The following sections, if they exist, are offprint from Beacham's Encyclopedia of Popular Fiction: "Social Concerns", "Thematic Overview", "Techniques", "Literary Precedents", "Key Questions", "Related Titles", "Adaptations", "Related Web Sites". (c)1994-2005, by Walton Beacham.
The following sections, if they exist, are offprint from Beacham's Guide to Literature for Young Adults: "About the Author", "Overview", "Setting", "Literary Qualities", "Social Sensitivity", "Topics for Discussion", "Ideas for Reports and Papers". (c)1994-2005, by Walton Beacham.
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In ecologically similar habitats it can sometimes happen that apparently similar organisms arise. These organisms may be entirely unrelated, their similarities coming about as a result of the same selective pressures being applied to each set of organisms. These selective pressures may produce similar structures in unrelated species, for example the wings of all flying animals are very similar because the same laws of aerodynamics apply governing what makes an efficient shape for a wing, irrespective of the animal involved or the physical location. With species of plants which share the same pollinators it can be seen that analogous structures and methods of attracting the pollinating species to the plant are similar, this is because the plants are operating under the same set of selective pressures.
Convergent evolution creates problems for those using evolutionary patterns to try to answer questions relating to taxonomy, in particular to those studying cladistics. It can provide evidence of false relationships and incorrect evolutionary pathways.
Convergent evolution is sometimes called convergence.