Trees are extremely iconic and we see a lot of similarities between them, but they’re mostly due to convergent evolution. Plants have been growing that stalk independently over and over and over. Crustaceans become crab-like, mammals become ant eaters, and plants become trees. *carcinisation intensifies*
What isn’t iconic in nature though? Plants also have turned into similar looking herbs and shrubs over and over again. Or look at epiphytes! If there is an available niche it will get filled. And since plants all start with more or less the same basics, they fill it similarly. Evolution likes to repurpose stuff.
What makes me lose my sleep:
Trees are extremely iconic and we see a lot of similarities between them, but they’re mostly due to convergent evolution. Plants have been growing that stalk independently over and over and over. Crustaceans become crab-like, mammals become ant eaters, and plants become trees. *carcinisation intensifies*
If like me you hadn’t heard of mammals turning into anteaters: Mammals have evolved into ant eaters 12 times since the dinosaur age, study finds
Great source of protein crawling there across the ground, it’d be a shame if someone wasn’t there to eat it
What isn’t iconic in nature though? Plants also have turned into similar looking herbs and shrubs over and over again. Or look at epiphytes! If there is an available niche it will get filled. And since plants all start with more or less the same basics, they fill it similarly. Evolution likes to repurpose stuff.
What do fungi converge into?
The gods do not concern themselves with convergence
My tummy
Truly the peak of evolution
Party animals