Convergent Evolution: Musk Ox versus Takin


I like examples of convergent/parallel* evolution (where evolution has arrived independently at analogous solutions).

The takin (1) and musk ox (2) appear basically rather similar. Takin live in the Eastern Himalayas and musk ox in the Arctic. Analysis of a mitochondrial gene (cytochrome B) suggests that the takin and musk ox are separated by around nine million years on the molecular clock (see the data here), so it appears unlikely the physical similarity is due to a common ancestor but is convergent.



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