Question

Plants partake of two large mutualistic networks with animals. Describe the TWO networks and what the plant and animal partner receives in each (no specific plants or animals just the services or goods exchanged).

Answer 1

1) More than 90% of tropical plant species rely on animals for the dispersal of their seeds (Jordano 2000). Similar figures can be adduced for pollination (Bawa 1990). If these animals disappear, their plant partners may follow. The cascading consequences of the disappearance of large seed dispersers due to hunting or habitat loss, experienced through a reduction in seed dispersal or pollination, is an important threat to biodiversity.

The pollinators, in turn, have evolved to take advantage of the flowers. A successful pollinator typically has good color vision, a good memory for finding flowers, and a proboscis, or tongue, for attaining nectar.

2) Animal pollination has obvious advantages for plants. Many pollinators cover great distances, which insures genetic diversity through outcrossing, or the transfer of pollen to unrelated individuals. The pollinator benefits as well by gaining access to a source of food. The relationship of pollinator plant is an example of mutualism.