This form of evolutionary change is referred to as convergent evolution, or sometimes, parallel evolution. Convergent Evolution between Placental Mammals and Marsupials. Parallel Evolution between marsupials and placentals. In general placental mammals have less teeth than marsupials. In the best known case of convergent evolution, two major groups of mammals, marsupials and placentals, have evolved in a very similar way, even though the two lineages have been living independently on separate continents. Parallel evolution: The development of a similar trait in related, but distinct, species descending from the same ancestor, but from different groups. The basal metabolic rates (BMRs) of placental mammals is about 30% higher than marsupial and monotreme mammals. In most other parts of the world they have disappeared, for competition from the placental (unpouched) mammals proved too much. Study the pairs of animals in the diagram below. They also grow two pairs of teeth, namely milk teeth and adult teeth. They also grow two pairs of teeth, namely milk teeth and adult teeth. This similar evolution is known as convergent evolution, and I find it truly amazing that despite being in completely different locations; we see many of the same morphologies. Convergent Evolution between Placental Mammals and Marsupials: The placental mammals that have offspring undergo gestation in the uterus and born fairly advanced, while the marsupials are those whose offspring are born very immature and continue to develop in the pouch on the body of the mother. Marsupial and placental mammals diverged from a common ancestor more than 100 million years ago, and have evolved independently ever since. Pharyngeal slits or clefts. Convergent evolution. Marsupilas represent an earlier, more primitive form of mammals, since their baby-rearing technique is less efficient and demands more energy than placental mammals. Metabolism. In general placental mammals have less teeth than marsupials. Australian Marsupials and placental mammals are suitable example of adaptive radiation and convergent evolutio… Get the answers you need, now! The marsupials are the pouched mammals (think of kangaroos). Parallel evolution is sometimes difficult to distinguish from convergent evolution. Australian Marsupials and placental mammals are suitable example of adaptive radiation and convergent evolutio… Get the answers you need, now! Most research concerning the evolution of mammals centers on the shapes … The basal metabolic rates (BMRs) of placental mammals is about 30% higher than marsupials. Their young are born in an extremely immature state. The evolution of marsupials in Australia, for example, paralleled the evolution of placental mammals in other parts of the world. Other. What's interesting about this adaptive radiation is that marsupials evolved in many of the same ways that our placental mammals have in the America's and elsewhere. _____ best explains the similarities between Australian marsupials and placental mammals (eutherians) in other parts of the world. That they have similar adaptations to those found in placentals, but achieve such adaptations by different means, indicates how flexible evolutionary processes can be. Though marsupials today do not have as many species as do the placental mammals, they are quite structurally diverse.