Question

Choose the correct statement that best explains the data.

• A. H. spinosa grows thorns in response to grazing.
• B. H. spinosa thorns are involved in reproduction.
• C. Grazing selects for plants with a greater number of thorns.
• D. Grazing decreases the number of thorns on H. spinosa plants.
• E. Plants with more thorns have greater fitness than plants with fewer thorns.

Answer 1

The correct option is A H. spinosa grows thorns in response to grazing.

The fenced area exhibits the lesser number of thorns per plant compared to those found in plants of the unfenced area. The minimum number of thorns per plant is exhibited by unfenced area in year 2 while a maximum number of thorns per plants is exhibited by plants of the unfenced area in year 1. Since plants in unfenced area exhibit the greater number of thorns as compared to those found in the fenced area, grazing increases the growth of thorns. The role of thorns in reproduction and fitness of plants can not be concluded from given data. Thus, the correct answer is A.