Co-evolution with animals Flashcards
What is coevolution?
Interactive evolution of two or more species
How does coevolution happen?
One species exerts a selective pressure on the other
How do plants benefit from pollination?
Gets its genetic material dispersed
How do animals benefit from pollination?
Gets food or specialized services
What are 4 things that are really important for a plant to attract the right pollinators?
- Colour
- Shape
- Smell
- Taste
Why are mammals able to see colour?
Plants exerted a selective pressure on us because we needed to be able to see when a fruit was ripe
What colour do bird pollinated flowers tend to be?
Red
What colour do insect pollinated flowers tend to be?
Yellow, white, or shift into the ultraviolet
What is nectar made of?
Sugars, amino acids, vitamins, lipids, proteins
Where are nectaries usually located?
Base of the petals
How has the sea rose (Orphium frutescens) coevolved to only be able to be pollinated by one species of bee?
The pollen is closed in spiral anthers and won’t get released until the plant senses a very certain frequency nearby. That frequency is only produced by that specific species of bumblebee
What plant family has especially taken advantage of using insect’s mating habits to get pollinated?
Orchids
How can animals benefit from pollinating plants in ways other than receiving food?
Chemical compounds used in mating. Some orchids produce a perfume, and males with the perfume are more successful in mating
Can pollination relationships be parasitic?
Yes, through sexual mimicry or food deception
What is sexual mimicry?
The flower mimics a female of the pollinator by looking or smelling like a female. The male lands there expecting to mate but just gets covered in pollen instead
