Many Flower Traits Are Specifically Attractive to a Certain Type

question 29

Multiple Choice

Many flower traits are specifically attractive to a certain type of pollinator. For example, the scent of rotting flesh is attractive to certain flies and beetles but not to most other pollinators. What adaptive purpose is served by this kind of "niche marketing" of flowers to specific pollinators?

• A) This adaptation works to reduce pollinator traffic at a flower. Therefore, flowers do not have to produce as much nectar to feed big crowds of pollinators.
• B) This adaptation reduces pollinator traffic so that flowers have a chance to develop their pollen fully before it is spread.
• C) This targeting is done because the wrong kind of pollinator might eat all the pollen instead of delivering it to another flower.
• D) This adaptation helps to assure that pollen will be delivered to another flower of the same species. If less specialized pollinators are used, the odds are greater that pollen will wind up on the stigma of a different species.