Question 88 from UPSC CSE 2022 - Environme nt

Question

Certain species of which one of the following organisms are well known as cultivators of fungi?

IASCODEX · Accepted Answer

Correct Option: A. Ant

Strategy: Focus on the organism most associated with active cultivation or farming behaviors. Leafcutter ants are renowned for tending fungal gardens as a primary food source, a behavior absent in cockroaches, crabs, or spiders. Thus, ants are the logical answer.

Key Info: Certain ant species, especially in the Attini tribe like leafcutter ants (genera Atta and Acromyrmex) in Central and South America, are known for their mutualistic relationship with fungi. These ants gather plant material to cultivate specific fungi within their nests, which serves as their primary food source, particularly for larvae.

This sophisticated ant-fungus symbiosis, or fungus-farming mutualism, involves ants actively planting, nurturing, and protecting fungal gardens. They remove competing molds or pests and use their own secretions as fungicides.

Unlike ants, cockroaches, crabs, and spiders do not cultivate fungi. While other insects like termites and some beetles also engage in fungus cultivation, ants are uniquely recognized for this behavior among the provided options. Leafcutter ant-fungus mutualism exemplifies coevolution and division of labor within the animal kingdom.

IASCODEX · Answer

Option B: Cockroach

IASCODEX · Answer

Option C: Crab

IASCODEX · Answer

Option D: Spider