Several animal species have gone extinct on the islands of Mauritius. These extinct animals, including the dodo bird and tortoises, once ate the fruit of many plant species. As a result of the extinction of these animals,
I. the flowers of the plants can no longer be pollinated.
II. the parental plants are strongly competing with their offspring.
III. many plants are growing together in tight groups instead of being spread over the island.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The extinction of animals like the dodo bird and tortoises, which once ate the fruit of many plant species, affects plant distribution and competition. Without these animals to eat and disperse the seeds, the seeds are more likely to fall and grow near the parent plants, leading to strong competition between parental plants and their offspring (II) and causing many plants to grow together in tight groups instead of being spread over the island (III). The statement about pollination (I) is not directly related to the role of these extinct animals, as they primarily affected seed dispersal rather than pollination.

Several Animal Species Have Gone Extinct on the Islands of Mauritius