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In Australia, marsupials and placental mammals have evolved to share many similar characteristics. This type of evolution may be referred to as

1. Convergent evolution
2. Divergent evolution
3. Parallel evolution
4. Adaptive radiation

Correct answer: Convergent evolution

Solution

Convergent evolution happens when different lineages independently evolve similar adaptations under similar selective pressures. Marsupials and placental mammals in Australia can look alike because they filled similar ecological roles, not because those traits came from a recent shared ancestor.

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