What evolutionary pressure would MOST likely lead to the development of polyembryony (where a single egg divides into multiple genetically identical embryos) in a species of parasi... What evolutionary pressure would MOST likely lead to the development of polyembryony (where a single egg divides into multiple genetically identical embryos) in a species of parasitic wasp that lays its eggs inside other insect larvae?
Understand the Problem
The question describes a parasitic wasp and asks about the evolutionary pressure most likely to lead to polyembryony (a single egg dividing into multiple identical embryos) in this species. We need to consider which scenario would best favor the survival and reproduction of the wasp in the context of its parasitic lifestyle.
Answer
Intraspecific competition, as polyembryony increases offspring number within a host, providing a competitive advantage.
Intraspecific competition is the evolutionary pressure most likely to lead to the development of polyembryony. This is because polyembryony increases the number of offspring from a single egg within a host larva, which would provide a competitive advantage against other parasitic wasp eggs laid in the same host.
Answer for screen readers
Intraspecific competition is the evolutionary pressure most likely to lead to the development of polyembryony. This is because polyembryony increases the number of offspring from a single egg within a host larva, which would provide a competitive advantage against other parasitic wasp eggs laid in the same host.
More Information
Polyembryony is a unique reproductive strategy where a single egg divides into multiple embryos, resulting in multiple genetically identical offspring. This is most common in parasitic wasps.
Tips
It is important to consider the environment the wasp lives in to answer this question, consider the challenges it faces in its life cycle.
Sources
- [PDF] REVIEW: The evolution of polyembryony in parasitoid wasps - rosenheim.faculty.ucdavis.edu
- The weird eusociality of polyembryonic parasites - PubMed Central - pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- Development of polyembryonic insects: a major departure from ... - pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
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