Plants in the desert-adapted families cactacea (cactus) and euphorbia (euphorbs) share many of the same physical characteristics, such as succulent stems that store water and cam photosynthesis, but they do not share a recent common ancestor. this evidence suggests that these families are an example of
a. convergent evolution.
b. homologous structures.
c. vestigial structures.
d. divergent evolution.

The correct answer is option A. convergent evolution.

Explanation:

Convergent evolution occurs when there are two organisms that have similar characteristics or traits, but there is no recent ancestor from which they have evolved.

That is, each species developed its own characteristic and did not inherit it from a common ancestor. This happens because depending on the habitat, the species have to develop the same solution to a problem that presents itself, even if they are of different species.

An example of this is sharks and dolphins. They are physically very similar, both have soft skin and fins that serve to chase their prey.

But if we look better, the shark is oviparous, while the dolphin is mammal.

The shark is a killer carnivore while the dolphin is a friendlier animal.

The explanation of their similarity is due to the fact that the last ancestor they shared lived about 290 million years ago, that is, it was not recent. Then both animals were forced to evolve differently.

Homology is called to those organisms that have structural similarities because they share the inheritance of a common ancestor.

And it is called analogy to similar characteristics but that do not come from a common ancestor.