Question

Many organisms in the deep sea live in conditions where resources are rare and populations are small and sparse. Many of those species are also hermaphroditic. Which of these is a plausible explanation for high rates of hermaphroditic species there?
a. Reproductive assurance: any individual of the same species is a potential mate
b. Excess energy: excess resources can be allocated to the other sex function
c. Size advantage: males are more successful when large, but female fitness does not change with size
d. Small body size: one sex or the other needs only a miniscule body size for full function
e. Inbreeding: populations are inbred and hermaphroditism is a side effect

Answer 1

Answer:

The correct option is A)  Reproductive assurance: any individual of the same species is a potential mate.

Explanation:

A hermaphrodite can be described as an organism that is capable to produce gametes associated with both the male and female sexes. It has a complete or partial reproductive organ.

In the deep sea, biodiversity is scarce. There are limited amounts of organisms present. Hence, to have a reproductive assurance, the organisms present in the deep sea are mostly hermaphrodite. Hence, they will be able to mate with any organism of the same species.