Which one of the following shows a unique relationship with an insect that has coevolved with it and that is the only insect that can pollinate this tree ?
Show answer
Answer: A. Fig trees and fig wasps have coevolved: each fig species is usually pollinated only by its own species of fig wasp, which lays eggs inside the fig. Neither can complete its life cycle without the other. This is a classic example of obligate mutualism.
Watch for: All four are well-known Indian trees; the phrase 'only insect that can pollinate' points to the fig and fig wasp pair.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. Wrong because mahua is pollinated mainly by bats and other animals, not one specific insect.
- C. Wrong because sandalwood is pollinated by various insects and has no single coevolved pollinator.
- D. Wrong because silk cotton is pollinated mainly by birds and bats.
Source to check: NCERT Class 12 Biology, Chapter 13 'Organisms and Populations' (Mutualism: fig and wasp)
Answer from the official UPSC key. Written and fact-checked by AI against the official key. Spotted a mistake? Report it.