Answer: Convergent evolution is the answer, two organisms have evolved to fill a niche (role or position) two species on different continents may adapt to their food source, environment, etc.
Explanation:
Essentially, evolutionary pressures converge creating analogous structures (Structures with similar form or function. Now here’s the kicker: are they always related? No. Especially when the question means their nearest common ancestor. Picture this: 1. Birds and Bats: both have produced species specialized to eat fruit or insects. These can share common traits: flight, size, etc.. 2. Sharks and dolphins: Both adapted to aquatic environment, similar in body design, and yet only one is a mammal. 3. Desert plants in America and Africa: North American Cacti of the Cactaceae Family and the African Euphorbias of the Euphorbiaceae. Not closely related but look which is which?
[picture in attachment]
Cacti Euphorhia
They are related in the sense of being plants, but very distantly.
