Why is the filamentous morphology of the water molds considered a case of convergent evolution with fungi?
A) Water molds evolved from filamentous fungi.
B) Body shape reflects ancestor-descendant relationships among organisms.
C) In both cases, filamentous shape is an adaptation for the absorptive nutritional mode of a decomposer.
D) Filamentous body shape is evolutionarily ancestral for all eukaryotes.
E) Both the first and second responses above are correct.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The filamentous morphology of both water molds and fungi is an adaptation for the absorptive nutritional mode of a decomposer. This convergence in body shape is an example of convergent evolution, where different species evolve similar traits independently in response to similar environments and selective pressures. Option A is incorrect because water molds and fungi are in different phylogenetic groups and did not evolve from each other. Option B is incorrect because convergence does not represent ancestry. Option D is incorrect because the filamentous body shape is not ancestral for all eukaryotes. Option E is incorrect because option A is incorrect.

Why Is the Filamentous Morphology of the Water Molds Considered