Beetle Pollinators of a Particular Plant Are Attracted to Its

question 38

Multiple Choice

Beetle pollinators of a particular plant are attracted to its flowers' bright orange color. The beetles not only pollinate the flowers, but they mate while inside of the flowers. A mutant version of the plant with red flowers becomes more common with the passage of time. A particular variant of the beetle prefers the red flowers to the orange flowers. Over time, these two beetle variants diverge from each other to such an extent that interbreeding is no longer possible. What kind of speciation has occurred in this example, and what has driven it?

• A) allopatric speciation; ecological isolation
• B) sympatric speciation; habitat differentiation
• C) allopatric speciation; behavioral isolation
• D) sympatric speciation; allopolyploidy

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Definitions:

Allantois

Tube extending from the embryonic hindgut into the umbilical cord; forms the urinary bladder.

Urinary Bladder

An organ that collects urine excreted by the kidneys before disposal by urination.

Urethra

A tube that conducts urine from the bladder to the outside of the body in both sexes and also conveys semen in males.

Malformations

Abnormalities in the structure of a body part or organ, often present from birth.