View source for Ecologically similar Pokémon

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Certain {{OBP|Pokémon|species}} are described as '''ecologically similar'''<ref name=SVsite>[https://scarletviolet.pokemon.com/en-us/pokemon/poltchageist/ Poltchageist — Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet | Official Website].</ref> (Japanese: '''生態は似ている'''<ref>[https://www.pokemon.co.jp/ex/sv_dlc/ja/pokemon/230822_01/ チャデス｜『ポケットモンスター スカーレット・バイオレット ゼロの秘宝』公式サイト]</ref> ''ecologically similar'') to previously discovered species, but are otherwise completely different Pokémon. This concept was first introduced in [[Generation IX]]. 

They are often referred to by fans as '''convergent forms''', '''convergent Pokémon''', or '''convergent species''', relating the concept to {{wp|convergent evolution}} in biology. They have also been referred to as '''regional fakes''', due to comparisons to the similar concept of [[regional form]]s, which are different forms of the same Pokémon. So far, five of these Pokémon have been introduced. [[Jacq]] is known for his research on these Pokémon in collaboration with the World Pokémon Ecological Society.<ref name=WPES>[https://wpes.pokemon.co.jp/en/ World Pokémon Ecological Society] ([https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pQoVAMGli0E Video archive])</ref>

Ecologically similar Pokémon tend to have similar, though not always identical, [[base stats]].

==In the core series games==
In {{g|Scarlet and Violet}}, the player can find Pokémon that are ecologically similar to other species across [[Paldea]], as well as in [[Kitakami]].

===History===
These Pokémon were first identified by the World Pokémon Ecological Society after the discovery of Wiglett during a survey.<ref name=WPES/> Wiglett was initially mistaken as a possible [[Paldean form]] of {{p|Diglett}} before it was decided that it was a different species entirely and the similarities were merely coincidental.

===List of ecologically similar Pokémon===
{| class="roundy" align=center style="text-align:center; border:3px solid #{{paldea color dark}}; background:#{{paldea color}}" cellpadding=5px
! colspan="6" style="background:#{{paldea color light}}; {{roundytop|5px}}" | Ecologically Similar Pokémon
|-
! style="background:#{{paldea color light}}" | {{color2|000|List of Pokémon by National Pokédex number|Ndex}}
! style="background:#{{paldea color light}}" | Newer Pokémon
! style="background:#{{paldea color light}}" width="400px" | Ecology
! style="background:#{{paldea color light}}" | {{color2|000|List of Pokémon by National Pokédex number|Ndex}}
! style="background:#{{paldea color light}}" | Original Counterpart
! style="background:#{{paldea color light}}" width="400px" | Ecology
|- style="background:#FFF"
| style="font-family:monospace,monospace" |#0948
| [[File:0948Toedscool.png|100px|link=Toedscool (Pokémon)]]<br>{{p|Toedscool}}<br>{{typecolor|Ground}}{{typecolor|Grass}}
| style="text-align: left" | 
* '''Inspiration:''' {{wp|Wood ear}} mushroom 
* '''Habitat:''' Forests
* '''Body:''' Edible mushroom
* '''Diet:''' Clings to tree roots
* '''Behavior:''' Jumps around, can run at a speed of 30 mph
| style="font-family:monospace,monospace" |#0072
| [[File:0072Tentacool.png|100px|link=Tentacool (Pokémon)]]<br>{{p|Tentacool}}<br>{{typecolor|Water}}{{typecolor|Poison}}
| style="text-align: left" | 
* '''Inspiration:''' {{wp|Jellyfish}}
* '''Habitat:''' Shallow seas
* '''Body:''' Virtually composed of water and can regenerate
* '''Diet:''' Constricts and poisons its prey
* '''Behavior:''' Drifts in sea currents and alerts others by flashing its orbs
|- style="background:#FFF"
| style="font-family:monospace,monospace" |#0949
| [[File:0949Toedscruel.png|100px|link=Toedscruel (Pokémon)]]<br>{{p|Toedscruel}}<br>{{typecolor|Ground}}{{typecolor|Grass}}
| style="text-align: left" | 
* '''Inspiration:''' {{wp|Wood ear}} mushroom
* '''Habitat:''' Forests
* '''Body:''' Edible mushroom, has 10 tentacles
* '''Diet:''' Constricts its prey and sucks out their nutrients
* '''Behavior:''' Jumps around and dislikes strangers
| style="font-family:monospace,monospace" |#0073
| [[File:0073Tentacruel.png|100px|link=Tentacruel (Pokémon)]]<br>{{p|Tentacruel}}<br>{{typecolor|Water}}{{typecolor|Poison}}
| style="text-align: left" | 
* '''Inspiration:''' Jellyfish
* '''Habitat:''' Complex rock formations on the ocean floor
* '''Body:''' Virtually composed of water, can regenerate, has 80 tentacles (most are hidden)
* '''Diet:''' Constricts and poisons its prey
* '''Behavior:''' Alerts and weakens others by flashing its orbs
|- style="background:#FFF"
| style="font-family:monospace,monospace" |#0960
| [[File:0960Wiglett.png|100px|link=Wiglett (Pokémon)]]<br>{{p|Wiglett}}<br>{{typecolor|Water}}
| style="text-align: left" | 
* '''Inspiration:''' {{wp|Heterocongrinae|Garden eel}}
* '''Habitat:''' Coastlines and seas
* '''Body:''' Stretchy, gooey feel, and it is unknown what it looks like under the sand
* '''Diet:''' Unknown
* '''Behavior:''' Hides in the sand when sensing danger
| style="font-family:monospace,monospace" |#0050
| [[File:0050Diglett.png|100px|link=Diglett (Pokémon)]]<br>{{p|Diglett}}<br>{{typecolor|Ground}}
| style="text-align: left" | 
* '''Inspiration:''' {{wp|Mole (animal)|Mole}}
* '''Habitat:''' Tunnels and caves under the earth, also resides in forests
* '''Body:''' Thin skin, it is unknown what it looks like under the ground, but likely has clawed limbs
* '''Diet:''' Plant roots
* '''Behavior:''' Toils and manures the soil perfectly and dislikes the sunlight
|- style="background:#FFF"
| style="font-family:monospace,monospace" |#0961
| [[File:0961Wugtrio.png|100px|link=Wugtrio (Pokémon)]]<br>{{p|Wugtrio}}<br>{{typecolor|Water}}
| style="text-align: left" | 
* '''Inspiration:''' {{wp|Heterocongrinae|Garden eel}}
* '''Habitat:''' Coastlines and seas
* '''Body:''' Stretchy and gooey, triplets sharing one body, and is unknown what it looks like in the rock
* '''Diet:''' Wraps around its prey and drags it to its den
* '''Behavior:''' Vicious temperament and hides from humans
| style="font-family:monospace,monospace" |#0051
| [[File:0051Dugtrio.png|100px|link=Dugtrio (Pokémon)]]<br>{{p|Dugtrio}}<br>{{typecolor|Ground}}
| style="text-align: left" | 
* '''Inspiration:''' {{wp|Mole (animal)|Mole}}
* '''Habitat:''' Tunnels and caves under the earth, also forests
* '''Body:''' Triplets sharing one body, it is unknown what it looks like under the ground, but likely has clawed limbs
* '''Diet:''' Each head fights over who gets to eat first
* '''Behavior:''' Toils and manures the soil perfectly, burrows rapidly, causing earthquakes, and attacks unexpectedly on occasion
|- style="background:#FFF"
| style="font-family:monospace,monospace" |#1012
| [[File:1012Poltchageist.png|100px|link=Poltchageist (Pokémon)]]<br>{{p|Poltchageist}}<br>{{typecolor|Grass}}{{typecolor|Ghost}}
| style="text-align: left" | 
* '''Inspiration:''' Possessed {{wp|matcha}} inhabiting a {{wp|tea caddy}}
* '''Habitat:''' Old houses in towns and their outskirts
* '''Body:''' Powdery, its swirl pattern is not a weak point
* '''Diet:''' Drains the energy of those who touch or ingest its powder
* '''Behavior:''' Nocturnal, tends to scatter matcha powder to fix broken objects, and attacks anyone who breaks things
| style="font-family:monospace,monospace" |#0854
| [[File:0854Sinistea.png|100px|link=Sinistea (Pokémon)]]<br>{{p|Sinistea}}<br>{{typecolor|Ghost}}
| style="text-align: left" | 
* '''Inspiration:''' Possessed {{wp|tea}} inhabiting a {{wp|teacup}}
* '''Habitat:''' Hotels and houses
* '''Body:''' Liquidy, the swirl pattern is its weakness, tastes awfully
* '''Diet:''' Absorbs the life force of those who drink it
* '''Behavior:''' Patiently waits for its victims
|- style="background:#FFF"
| style="font-family:monospace,monospace" |#1013
| [[File:1013Sinistcha.png|100px|link=Sinistcha (Pokémon)]]<br>{{p|Sinistcha}}<br>{{typecolor|Grass}}{{typecolor|Ghost}}
| style="text-align: left" | 
* '''Inspiration:''' Possessed {{wp|matcha}} inhabiting a ''{{wp|chawan}}''
* '''Habitat:''' Dark places, such as the back of a shelf or the space beneath a home's floorboards
* '''Body:''' Powdery
* '''Diet:''' Drains the life force of those who drink it
* '''Behavior:''' Searches for preys after sunset and pretends to be tea, trying to fool people into drinking to drain their life force
| style="font-family:monospace,monospace" |#0855
| [[File:0855Polteageist.png|100px|link=Polteageist (Pokémon)]]<br>{{p|Polteageist}}<br>{{typecolor|Ghost}}
| style="text-align: left" | 
* '''Inspiration:''' Possessed {{wp|tea}} inhabiting a {{wp|teapot}}
* '''Habitat:''' Hotels and houses
* '''Body:''' Liquidy and has a distinct and enjoyable flavor
* '''Diet:''' Absorbs the life force of those who drink it
* '''Behavior:''' Patiently waits for its victims
|- class=sortbottom
| style="{{roundybottom|5px}}; background:#{{paldea color light}}" colspan=6 |
|}
{{-}}

===Descriptions===
The relationships between ecologically similar Pokémon have been described in [[Pokédex]] entries and other sources.
{| class="roundtable" align=center style="text-align:center; background: #{{Paldea color}}; {{roundy|10px}}; border: 3px solid #{{Paldea color dark}}" cellpadding=2px
|-
! style="background: #{{Paldea color light}}; {{roundytl|5px}}" width=100px | Pokémon
! style="background: #{{Paldea color light}}; {{roundytr|5px}}" width=800px | Description

|-
! style="background: #fff; style="text-align: left" | [[File:0948Toedscool.png|70px]]<br>{{p|Toedscool}}
| style="text-align: left" | '''Pokédex entry from {{g|Violet}}:'''
* ''Though it looks like {{p|Tentacool}}, Toedscool is a completely different species. Its legs may be thin, but it can run at a speed of 30 mph.''

|-
! style="background: #fff; style="text-align: left" | [[File:0960Wiglett.png|70px]]<br>{{p|Wiglett}}
| style="text-align: left" | '''Pokédex entry from {{g|Violet}}:'''
* ''Though it looks like {{p|Diglett}}, Wiglett is an entirely different species. The resemblance seems to be a coincidental result of environmental adaptation.''
'''[[Jacq]]'s memo from the World Pokémon Ecological Society conference:'''
* ''This Pokémon that lives on the beach or in the sea of the Paldea region would be Wiglett. Although they appeared to be the Paldean Form of Diglett, we've learned that they live and eat differently as if they are entirely different Pokémon. According to the research, it is said that it is a coincidence that they have similar bodies, as they both burrow in the ground and the sand.''
'''Official {{g|Scarlet and Violet}} website:'''<ref>[https://scarletviolet.pokemon.com/en-us/pokemon/wiglett/ Wiglett — Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet | Official Website]</ref>
* ''It’s said that Wiglett’s resemblance to Diglett might be a mere coincidence—a result of its adaptation to its environment.''
* ''Though It May Closely Resemble Diglett, It’s a Completely Different Pokémon: It may look like Diglett, but it’s actually a completely different species of Pokémon. Wiglett pokes a part of its body out of the sand to feed in the ocean. It’s still unclear what the rest of its body hidden in the sand is like or how long it might be.''

|-
! style="background: #fff; style="text-align: left" | [[File:0961Wugtrio.png|70px]]<br>{{p|Wugtrio}}
| style="text-align: left" | '''Pokédex entry from {{g|Violet}}:'''
* ''A variety of fish Pokémon, Wugtrio was once considered to be a regional form of {{p|Dugtrio}}.''

|-
! style="background: #fff; style="text-align: left" | [[File:Poltchageist.png|70px]]<br>{{p|Poltchageist}}
| style="text-align: left" | '''Pokédex entry from {{g|Violet}}:'''
* ''Poltchageist looks like a regional form of {{p|Sinistea}}, but it was recently discovered that the two Pokémon are entirely unrelated.''

'''Official {{g|Scarlet and Violet}} website:'''<ref name=SVsite/>
* ''It may resemble {{p|Sinistea}} at a glance, but Poltchageist is actually an entirely different species of Pokémon.''
* ''Though Ecologically Similar to Sinistea, It’s a Completely Different Pokémon: Poltchageist has a swirl pattern similar to the one that’s known to be Sinistea’s weak point. However, one thing that sets these species apart is that Poltchageist’s swirl is not its weak point. After a target is sprinkled with some of Poltchageist’s powdery body or eats food dusted with it, Poltchageist drains their life-force and absorbs it as energy.''

|}
{{-}}

===Base stats comparison===
{{groupstats/6|paldea|0948|Toedscool|ground|40|40|35|50|100|70|0949|Toedscruel|ground|80|70|65|80|120|100|0960|Wiglett|water|10|55|25|35|25|95|0961|Wugtrio|water|35|100|50|50|70|120|1012|Poltchageist|grass|40|45|45|74|54|50|1013|Sinistcha|grass|71|60|106|121|80|70}}
{{groupstats/6|kanto|0072|Tentacool|water|40|40|35|50|100|70|0073|Tentacruel|water|80|70|65|80|120|100|0050|Diglett|ground|10|55|25|35|45|95|0051|Dugtrio|ground|35|100|50|50|70|120|0854|Sinistea|ghost|40|45|45|74|54|50|0855|Polteageist|ghost|60|65|65|134|114|70}}

==Trivia==
* The concept of ecologically similar Pokémon was first introduced with the reveal of {{p|Wiglett}} before the release of {{g|Scarlet and Violet}}.<ref name=WPES/>
* These Pokémon are similar to the [[Paradox Pokémon]] in that they bear a striking resemblance to certain Pokémon but are nonetheless completely different species.
* Some ecologically similar Pokémon have several unique distinctions:
** {{p|Poltchageist}} and {{p|Sinistea}} are the only ecologically similar Pokémon that share a [[type]].
*** Additionally, they are the only ones where the name of the newer Pokémon is not based on its original counterpart, but rather its evolved form; in this case, {{p|Polteageist}}.
** {{p|Wiglett}} and {{p|Diglett}} are the only ecologically similar Pokémon with different [[base stats]].
** The {{p|Toedscool}} and {{p|Tentacool}} lines are the only ecologically similar Pokémon where the original counterparts are unavailable in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet.
* In the code of Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, Toedscool and {{p|Toedscruel}} are referred to as "OKAKINGU" (''hill king'', from Koiking) and "OKAGYARADOSU" (''hill Gyarados''), respectively, suggesting that they replaced a scrapped idea of an evolution line based on the {{p|Magikarp}} family.

===Origin===
While these Pokémon are officially described as "ecologically similar"<ref name=SVsite/>, it may be more accurate to describe them as "morphologically similar", as while they have similar physical characteristics, many of them occupy very different ecological niches. The concept has been compared to {{wp|convergent evolution}} and {{wp|parallel evolution}} in {{wp|evolution|evolutionary biology}}, both of which can lead to separate organisms independently developing similar or identical characteristics and body plans.

==In other languages==
''Though It May Closely Resemble Diglett, It’s a Completely Different Pokémon''
{{Langtable|color={{paldea color light}}|bordercolor={{paldea color dark}}
|ja=ディグダによく似た、全く別のポケモン ''Digda ni yoku nita, mattaku betsu no Pokémon''
|zh_yue=與地鼠非常相似，卻是完全不同的寶可夢 ''Yúh Deihsyú fēisèuhng sēungchíh, keuksih yùhnchyùhn bāttùhng dīk Pokémon''
|zh_cmn=與地鼠非常相似，卻是完全不同的寶可夢 ''Yǔ Dìshǔ fēicháng xiāngsì, quèshì wánquán bùtóng de Bǎokěmèng''{{tt|*|Traditional}}<br>与地鼠十分相似，但种类完全不同的宝可梦 ''Yǔ Dìshǔ shífēn xiāngsì, dàn zhǒnglèi wánquán bùtóng de Bǎokěmèng''{{tt|*|Simplified}}
|nl=Hij ziet er misschien uit als Diglett, maar het is echt een compleet andere Pokémon
|fr=Une ressemblance à Taupiqueur trompeuse
|de=Eine täuschende Ähnlichkeit zu Digda
|it=Somiglia a Diglett, ma è un Pokémon completamente diverso
|ko=디그다를 닮았지만 완전히 다른 포켓몬 ''Digda-reul dalmatjiman wanjeonhi dareun Pokémon''
|pt_eu=Embora se pareça muito com o Diglett, é um Pokémon totalmente diferente
|es=Aunque se parece a Diglett, es un Pokémon completamente diferente
}}

''Though Ecologically Similar to Sinistea, It’s a Completely Different Pokémon''
{{Langtable|color={{paldea color light}}|bordercolor={{paldea color dark}}
|ja=ヤバチャに生態は似ているが、全く別のポケモン ''Yabacha ni seitai wa niteiru ga, mattaku betsu no Pokémon''
|zh_yue=生態和來悲茶相似，但卻是完全不同的寶可夢 ''Sāangtaai wòh Lòihbēichàh sēungchíh, daahn keuksih yùhnchyùhn bāttùhng dīk Pokémon''
|zh_cmn=生態和來悲茶相似，但卻是完全不同的寶可夢 ''Shēngtài hé Láibēichá xiāngsì, dàn quèshì wánquán bùtóng de Bǎokěmèng''{{tt|*|Traditional}}<br>生态类似来悲茶，却是完全不同的宝可梦 ''Shēngtài lèisì Láibēichá, quèshì wánquán bùtóng de Bǎokěmèng''{{tt|*|Simplified}}
|fr=Une ressemblance à Théffroi trompeuse
|de=Trotz Äußerlicher Ähnlichkeit zu Fatalitee ist es ein völlig anderes Pokémon
|it=Seppur ecologicamente simile a Sinistea, è un Pokémon completamente diverso
|ko=데인차와 생태는 비슷하지만 완전히 다른 포켓몬 ''Deincha-wa saengtaeneun biseutajiman wanjeonhi dareun Pokémon''
|es=Aunque se parece a Sinistea desde el punto de vista ecológico, es un Pokémon diferente
}}

==See also==
* [[Regional form]]
* [[Paradox Pokémon]]

==References==
<references/>

{{forms}}

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{{Project Games notice}}

[[Category:Pokémon groupings]]
[[Category:Terminology]]
[[Category:Pokémon Scarlet and Violet]]

[[es:Pokémon ecológicamente parecido]]
[[fr:Espèce convergente]]