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UPSC 2024: Which one of the following trees exhibits an obligate relationship with an insect that has co-evolved with it and is the only insect that can pollinate this tree?
(a)Aonla
(b)Mahua
(c)Sandal
(d)Semal (Silk Cotton)
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Not attemptedCorrect Answer: (a) Aonla
Aonla (Indian gooseberry, Phyllanthus emblica) belongs to the leafflower group in which many tree species are pollinated exclusively by species-specific Epicephala moths; this is an obligate mutualism—without the moth the tree cannot set seed, and the moth’s larvae develop only in its fruit. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phyllanthus?utm_source=openai)) Mahua is mainly bat-pollinated, Sandalwood is insect- and wind-pollinated, and Semal is pollinated by bats and birds, none of which involve a single co-evolved insect pollinator.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the correct answer to this UPSC 2024 Environment & Ecology question?▼
The correct answer is option (a): Aonla. Watch the detailed video explanation in our Sherlocking Prelims course on UnlockIAS.
Which year was this Ecosystems & Ecology Concepts question asked in UPSC Prelims?▼
This question was asked in UPSC CSE Prelims 2024, GS Paper 1, as Question 28. It falls under Environment & Ecology > Ecosystems & Ecology Concepts.
What is the difficulty level of this UPSC question?▼
This question is rated "difficult". It is a challenging question that demands deep subject knowledge and analytical thinking.
How many UPSC Prelims questions have been asked from Ecosystems & Ecology Concepts?▼
UPSC has asked 48 questions from Ecosystems & Ecology Concepts (under Environment & Ecology) across multiple years. Visit the topic page to see the full list and year-wise trends.