Consider the following kinds of organisms:
- Bat
- Bee
- Bird
Which of the above is/are pollinating agent/agents?
[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2012 Prelims]
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (d)
Explanation:
Agents for Pollination – Plants use two abiotic (wind and water) and one biotic (animals) agent to achieve pollination.
Biotic agents
- Entomophily: pollination by Insects. Eg. Bee.
- Ornithophily: pollination by birds.
- Chiropteriphily: pollination by bats. Hence 1, 2 and 3 are correct.
- Malacophily: pollination by slug and snail.