Question

Only one species of moth, Xanthopan morgani, is known to have a tongue long enough to reach the nectar in the Madagascar orchid Angraecum sesquipedale.
Would the orchid be more likely to reproduce if, through many generations, its nectaries became shorter so that other insect species were able to serve as pollinators? (Select all that apply.)a.Yes. If more insect species are able to use the orchid for food, then the orchid is more likely to reproduce.b.Yes. We can predict that the nectaries of these orchids will tend to shorten enough that other pollinators can also feed on them.c.No. If the nectaries were shorter, then the moth Xanthopan morgani would be able to feed without rubbing against the pollen.d.No. If the nectaries were shorter, then insect species that use other flowers as food sources would also drink its nectar, and it would be less likely these insects would visit another orchid of the same species while carrying its pollen.e.All of the above are plausible. It is impossible to predict.

Answer 1

Answer: e.All of the above are plausible. It is impossible to predict.

Explanation:

The long tongue of moth Xanthopan morgani is able to derive the nectar from the orchid. If through many generations the nectaries become shorter the moth may not be able to derive the nectar this may facilitate the other insect species to derive the nectar and pollination.

If more insect species will able to use the orchid for nectar then obviously the orchid is more likely to reproduce due to pollination. The nectaries may get even shorter that the nectar will readily available to the other species of insects. This may also interrupt the pollination of other species of orchids as Madagascar orchid is a source of nectar which will attract many pollinators also those were specific to the other orchid species.

All conditions are plausible. But several generations of evolution of the Madagascar orchid is required to be observed to predict the association of insects with the orchid.