What type of evolution occurs when two species diverge from a common ancestor?

Divergent evolution occurs when two or more species evolve from a common ancestor, leading to the development of new species as they adapt to different environments or ecological niches. This process highlights how species can diverge genetically and phenotypically over time even though they share a lineage. As they adapt to their unique surroundings, they accumulate differences, which can be observed in their morphology, behavior, and genetics. This type of evolution is key in understanding how biodiversity arises from a single ancestral population as species undergo variations influenced by natural selection and other evolutionary processes.

In contrast, convergent evolution is characterized by unrelated species developing similar traits due to similar environmental pressures, rather than sharing a common ancestor. Sympatric evolution involves the formation of new species within the same environmental context, often due to polyploidy or behavioral changes that reduce gene flow. Co-evolution describes the reciprocal evolutionary influences between two or more species that interact closely, affecting each other's adaptations. Understanding these distinctions helps clarify the complex processes involved in speciation.