Raine,Willmer,and Stone demonstrated that protection and pollination mutualism do not come into conflict on the swollen thorn acacia,Acacia hindsii,because
A) there is spatial separation of inflorescences and resources used by guarding ants.
B)A. hindsii inflorescences lack nectar.
C)A. hindsii inflorescences contain a chemical ant repellent.
D)All of the choices are correct.
E) Both A and B are correct.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The Answer is The correct answer is E) Both A and B are correct.

Raine, Willmer, and Stone demonstrated that protection and pollination mutualism do not come into conflict on the swollen thorn acacia, Acacia hindsii, because there is spatial separation of inflorescences and resources used by guarding ants, and A. hindsii inflorescences lack nectar. This means that the ants, which protect the acacia from herbivores and other threats, do not interfere with the pollinators that are attracted to the flowers because the flowers do not offer nectar that would attract the ants. The spatial separation ensures that the ants patrol areas where they can access food provided by the acacia, such as extrafloral nectaries or food bodies, without being attracted to the flowers where pollination occurs. This allows the acacia to benefit from both ant protection and pollination by other insects without the two mutualistic services coming into conflict.

Raine,Willmer,and Stone Demonstrated That Protection and Pollination Mutualism Do Not