A new fungal pathogen that affects certain oak trees is introduced into a forest.Why might this introduced pathogen be more damaging to forest species than an already present native pathogen?
A) Fungi do not typically live in forests, so no forest species will be adapted to it.
B) Forests cannot survive without oak trees, so the forest will die if the pathogen invades.
C) The forest's oak trees likely have defenses against native pathogens but not against the introduced pathogen.
D) Introduced pathogens are always more virulent than native pathogens and will overcome whatever species they encounter.
E) The introduced pathogen will be better adapted to the forest environment than any already present native pathogens.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Native pathogens have likely co-evolved with the forest species and have developed resistance mechanisms. The introduced pathogen, on the other hand, has not co-evolved with the forest species and may therefore find it easier to infect and damage them.

A New Fungal Pathogen That Affects Certain Oak Trees Is