Which of the following best describes parallel evolution?

Parallel evolution occurs when related species evolve independently, leading to the development of similar traits or adaptations. This phenomenon is often observed in species that share a common ancestor but have diverged to live in different environments or ecological niches. Despite the separate evolutionary paths taken, they still retain similarities due to their shared ancestry, which influences the traits that emerge as they adapt to their specific environments.

In this context, the other options describe different evolutionary concepts. The first option refers to divergent evolution, where species with a common ancestor evolve different traits. The third option describes convergent evolution, which is when unrelated species develop similar traits or structures due to facing similar environmental pressures. The fourth option mentions an evolutionary response to environmental changes, which can be part of various evolutionary processes but does not specifically pertain to parallel evolution. Thus, the choice that accurately captures the essence of parallel evolution is the one highlighting related species evolving similar traits independently.