Question

Which of these is the best example of dispersive mutualism?

A. An ant that nests in acacia trees and eats the leaves of other trees that grow too close

B. A leaf-cutting ant that feeds leaves to the fungus that protects its home

C. An ant that protects and aphid so that the aphid can produce honeydew for the ant to eat

D. A bird that feeds on the seeds of the cherry tree and flies away, defecating the seed away from the parent tree

Answer 1

Ans- A bird that feeds on the seeds of the cherry tree and flies away, defecating the seed away from the parent tree.

Explanation:- Dispersive mutualism involves animals that helps to transport pollen grains from one flower to another in exchange of nectar or they help in dispersal/defecation of seeds to suitable habitats in exchange of nutritious fruits that contain the seed. Such pairwise interaction occurs between bird and cherry tree. Birds are seed predators who consume seeds but help in dispersal by dropping or storing or loosing seeds or eat fleshy fruits then excrete or dispose the seed. So option D is correct.