Target Exam

CUET

Subject

Biology

Chapter

Organisms and Populations

Question:

Which one of the following is an example of co-evolution?

Options:

Sea anemone and clown fish

Barnacles and Whale

Wasp and Fig

Cuckoo and crow

Correct Answer:

Wasp and Fig

Explanation:

The correct answer is Option (3) → Wasp and Fig

Plant-animal interactions often involve co-evolution of the mutualists, that is, the evolutions of the flower and its pollinator species are tightly linked with one another. In many species of fig trees, there is a tight one-to-one relationship with the pollinator species of wasp. It means that a given fig species can be pollinated only by its ‘partner’ wasp species and no other species. The female wasp uses the fruit not only as an oviposition (egg-laying) site but uses the developing seeds within the fruit for nourishing its larvae. The wasp pollinates the fig inflorescence while searching for suitable egg-laying sites. In return for the favour of pollination the fig offers the wasp some of its developing seeds, as food for the developing wasp larvae.