Zoology - Organisms and Populations Question with Solution | TestHub
Which kind of population interaction is found between organism showing pseudocopulation?
Options:
Answer:
Solution:
The Mediterranean orchid Ophrys employs ‘sexual deceit’ to get pollination done by a species of bee. One petal of its flower bears an uncanny resemblance to the female of the bee in size, colour and markings. The male bee perceives it as female and dusted with pollen from the flower during the process of pseudocopulation. When same bee pseudo-copulates with another flower, it transfers pollen to it and thus pollinates the flower. Thus, best cheater plant is Ophrys.
The significance of co-evolution process can be understood here. If female bee changes its colour pattern ever slightly, the success of pollination will be reduced unless orchid flower co-evolves to maintain the resemblance of its petal to female bee.
