Evolutionary Theory
Box turtles (Terrapene carolina) and the Gray Tree Frog (Hyla versicolor) live in North America where winters cause freezing to sub-freezing temperatures. Although these two species are not closely related to each other, they both can undergo a process called freeze avoidance where circulating sugar molecules protect their organs while more than 50% of their body water content is frozen. This process is common in other North American frog species but not in turtle species.
Which of the following is highlighted in the given information?
1. Freeze tolerance resulted from homology
2. Natural selection in a common environment leads to common traits
3. Frogs survive in the winter better than turtles
4. Box turtles are a transitional species between the divergence of reptiles and amphibians