Assignment # 3

Coevolution
Coevolution is the evolution of two or more species which reciprocally affect each

other, sometimes creating a mutualistic relationship between the species.

Coevolution was first described in the context of insects and flowering plants, and

has since been applied to major evolutionary events, including sexual

reproduction, infectious disease, and ecological communities.

Flowering Plants and Pollinators

 Flowering plants (angiosperms) and

their pollinators are often used as the

classic example of this evolutionary

phenomenon.

 This presents one of nature's most striking examples of adaption and

specialization.

 The plant and the pollinator place evolutionary pressure on each other for

changes in morphology, physiology, or habits that benefit both.

 Flowering plants are adapting to their pollinators, which are in turn

adapting to the plants.

  Flowering plants and

pollinators have developed co-

adaptations that allow flowers

to attract pollinators, and

insects and birds have

developed specialized

adaptations for extracting nectar and pollen from the plants

 Research indicates that there

are at least three traits that

flowering plants have evolved to

attract pollinators: 1. Distinct

visual cues, 2. Scent, 3. Some

flowers use chemical and tactile

means to mimic female insect species to attract the male species. 

 Sources

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coevolution#:~:text=Coevolution%20is%20the
%20evolution%20of,be%20of%20many%20different%20types.
https://biologydictionary.net/coevolution/
https://www.wnps.org/blog/coevolution-and-pollination#:~:text=The
%20coevolution%20of%20flowering%20plants,examples%20of%20adaption
%20and%20specialization.&text=Our%20understanding%20is%20that
%20each,collide%2C%20and%20remarkable%20things%20happen.
https://www.accessscience.com/content/coevolution-between-flowering-plants-
and-insect-pollinators/YB100138