What phenomenon occurs when similar traits arise in unrelated organisms?

Convergent evolution is the phenomenon where similar traits or characteristics emerge in different species that do not share a recent common ancestor. This typically occurs when these unrelated organisms adapt to similar environments or ecological niches, leading to the development of analogous structures. For instance, the wings of bats and insects are both adaptations for flight, although bats are mammals and insects are entirely different organisms with separate evolutionary paths.

In contrast, divergent evolution involves species with a common ancestor evolving different traits due to varied environments. Adaptive radiation refers to a single ancestral species rapidly diversifying into multiple forms to adapt to different ecological niches. Speciation is the process by which new species form, often as a result of reproductive isolation or genetic divergence. Each of these processes emphasizes different aspects of evolution, whereas convergent evolution is specifically focused on the emergence of similar traits in unrelated lineages due to similar selection pressures.