[Campbell Biology P.873] The relationship between the yucca plant and its specific moth poll... | Practice Question

The relationship between the yucca plant and its specific moth pollinator, as described in the text, demonstrates a complex interaction. Which of the following is an adaptive strategy employed by the yucca plant to manage this relationship?

  • A: The yucca plant aborts flowers if the moth deposits too many eggs, preventing overexploitation.
  • B: The yucca plant produces a repellent odor to deter moths from laying excessive eggs.
  • C: The yucca plant adjusts the color of its flowers to signal to the moth the optimal number of eggs to deposit.
  • D: The yucca plant provides nectar as a reward to the moth, ensuring it only deposits a limited number of eggs.

Explanation

The text describes a specific adaptive strategy of the yucca plant: if the moth deposits too many eggs, the flower aborts and drops off. This mechanism prevents the moth larvae from consuming too many seeds, thereby selecting against moths that overexploit the plant and ensuring the plant's reproductive success in the long term. This is an example of a counter-adaptation in a co-evolutionary mutualistic relationship.