Question

Refer to the given paragraph and answer the following question. Plant P is the only source of food for the caterpillars of a butterfly species, Q. Plant P depends on the adults of the butterfly species Q for pollination. Infact, animal Q is the only pollinator of plant P in nature. Animal R feeds exclusively on the caterpillars of the butterfly species, Q. Animal R In turn is the prey of animal S. Which of the following is likely to happen if animal S is hunted to extinction?

• A. Animal R wit continuously feed on animal Q which may lead to coex-tinction of both P and Q with time.
• B. The populations of both animals Q and R will increase, however the population of plant P will decrease with time.
• C. Population of animal R will Increase while population of animal Q will decrease with time.
• D. Both (A) and (C)

Answer 1

Answer: (D)

Both (A) and (C)

According to the given paragraph. P and Q show mutual relationship, i.e. if Q will extinct then it will lead to extinction of Pas well and vice versa. If animal S is hunted to extinction, then population of animal R will start increasing abnormally in the absence of its predator. This uncontrolled growing population of R will feed more on Q population which may ultimately lead to Its extinction with time. As both P and Q depend on each other for existence hence, P population will start decreasing and ultimately get extinct with time.