Convergent evolution occurs when distantly related species develop similar features due to similar environmental challenges.

• A. It occurs only if species share a recent common ancestor
• B. It is false; unrelated species never share similar traits
• C. It occurs only in aquatic environments
• D. It is true; unrelated species may develop similar traits due to similar environments

Answer: (D)

Convergent evolution happens when different lineages face similar environmental challenges and evolve similar features independently. The best choice captures this idea: unrelated species can develop similar traits because they live in similar environments and need to solve the same problems.

For example, a sugar glider (a marsupial) and a flying squirrel (a placental mammal) both evolved gliding membranes to move between trees, even though they’re not closely related. Another classic set of examples is the streamlined bodies and fins of aquatic animals like dolphins and ichthyosaurs, which arose separately to swim efficiently in water.

Why the other ideas don’t fit: convergent evolution does not require a recent common ancestor—traits can look alike in distantly related groups because of similar pressures. And it’s not true that unrelated species never share similar traits; nor is convergent evolution limited to aquatic environments—it happens in many habitats, including on land.