Question

Describe an example of a specific predator-prey coevolution, in the process, name the organism involved and their coevolved adaptations.

Answer 1

Coevolution refers to evolution of at least two species which occurs ina mutually dependent manner. Predator prey relationship is one of the most common type of coevolution occurring in nature. Due to coevolution a selective pressure develops on the prey to avoid getting captured and ultimately the predator would have evolved to become more effective hunters.

An example of such type of evolution is the coevolution of cheetah and gazelle. In this case if the cheetah cannot overrun the gazzlle, they will ultimately starve and die. At the same time if the gazzlles cannot outspace the predators they too will die. When coevolution occurs, the cheetah evolves to become faster and stronger, on the other hand the gazelle also evolves to avoid extinction.