Which one of the following shows a unique relationship with an insect

Which one of the following shows a unique relationship with an insect that has coevolved with it and that is the only insect that can pollinate this tree ?

Fig

Mahua

Sandalwood

Silk cotton

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This question was previously asked in

UPSC IAS – 2024

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The fig tree (genus *Ficus*) exhibits a unique and highly coevolved symbiotic relationship with specific fig wasps (family Agaonidae). Each species of fig tree is typically pollinated by only one or a few specific species of fig wasp, and the fig wasp relies entirely on the fig tree for reproduction. The female wasp enters the fig (which is an inverted flower structure called a syconium) to lay eggs and pollinate the flowers inside, while the male wasps are wingless and live and die within the fig.

– The fig-fig wasp relationship is a classic example of obligate mutualism and coevolution.
– This relationship is highly specific, with a particular fig species depending on a particular wasp species for pollination, and the wasp depending on that fig species for reproduction.

Mahua (Madhuca longifolia) is primarily pollinated by bats and other nocturnal visitors, but also receives pollination from insects. Sandalwood (Santalum album) pollination is less well-documented but involves insects and potentially wind. Silk cotton (Bombax ceiba) is primarily pollinated by birds (like mynas and crows) and bats. None of these exhibit the kind of highly specific, obligate one-to-one coevolutionary relationship seen between figs and fig wasps.

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