The Cycads, a Mostly Tropical Phylum of Gymnosperms, Evolved About

question 59

Multiple Choice

The cycads, a mostly tropical phylum of gymnosperms, evolved about 300 million years ago and were dominant forms during the age of the dinosaurs. Though their sperm are flagellated, their ovules are pollinated by beetles. These beetles get nutrition from the pollen and shelter from the microsporophylls. Upon visiting megasporophylls, the beetles transfer pollen to the exposed ovules. In cycads, pollen cones and seed cones are borne on different plants. Cycads synthesise neurotoxins, especially in the seeds, that are effective against most animals, including humans.
On the Pacific island of Guam, large herbivorous bats called "flying foxes" commonly feed on cycad seeds, a potent source of neurotoxins. The flying foxes do not visit male cones.
- Consequently, which of the following statements should be accurate?

• A) Flying foxes are attracted to cycad fruit and eat the enclosed seeds only by accident.
• B) Flying foxes are highly susceptible to the effects of the neurotoxins because the toxin attacks the action of the central nervous system.
• C) Flying foxes assist the beetles as important pollinating agents of the cycads.
• D) Flying foxes disperse cycad seeds if the seeds sometimes get swallowed whole (in other words, without getting chewed).

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