Animals - Animal types and traits - Fingerprints - Convergent evolution
Which of these animals has fingerprints remarkably similar to human fingerprints?
Correct!
Koalas have pronounced friction ridges on their fingers whose patterns look remarkably similar to human fingerprints. Studies show loops, whorls, and other structures that evolved independently of human fingerprints. Researchers describe this as an example of convergent evolution. The evolutionary lineages of koalas and humans have been separate for many millions of years. The ridges probably offer advantages including grip and climbing.
The similarity evolved independently in two distant lineages and is therefore an example of convergent evolution.
Source: University of Adelaide
