Question

Which of the following terms describes pollination by the agency of ants?

• A. Cheiropterophily
• B. Entomophily
• C. Ornithophily
• D. Myrmecophily

Answer 1

The correct option is D

Myrmecophily

The correct option is D.

The explanation of the correct option:

1. The transfer of pollen grains from the male anther of a flower to the female stigma is known as pollination.
2. Myrmecophily means when the pollination takes place with the help of ants.
3. There is a symbiotic relationship between the plant and the ants.
4. Plants provide food and shelter to the ants to lay eggs, and the ants help in pollination.

The explanation of the incorrect options:

Option A:

1. When the pollination is through bats, it is cheiropterophily.
2. Pollination of plants by bats is mostly with pale nocturnal flowers.

Option B:

1. Pollination by insects is called entomophily.
2. Flowers pollinated by insects are usually brightly colored and scented.

Option C:

1. Pollination by birds is called ornithophily.
2. Hummingbirds and sunbirds are bird pollinators.

Final Answer: The correct term which describes pollination by the agency of ants is Myrmecophily.