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Multiple Choice
In what way do the agouti and the Brazil nut tree depend on each other in their ecosystem?
A
The agouti pollinates the Brazil nut tree's flowers, and the tree provides shelter for the agouti.
B
The agouti eats the leaves of the Brazil nut tree, and the tree relies on the agouti for protection from herbivores.
C
The agouti and the Brazil nut tree compete for sunlight in the rainforest understory.
D
The agouti disperses the Brazil nut tree's seeds by burying them, while the tree provides nuts as a food source for the agouti.
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the relationship between the agouti and the Brazil nut tree: This is an example of mutualism, where both species benefit from their interaction.
Recognize the role of the agouti: The agouti is a rodent that plays a crucial role in seed dispersal for the Brazil nut tree. It buries the seeds (nuts) as a food source, and some of these buried seeds germinate into new trees.
Identify the role of the Brazil nut tree: The tree produces large, hard-shelled nuts that serve as a food source for the agouti. This provides the agouti with essential nutrients for survival.
Clarify the mutual benefit: The agouti benefits by having a reliable food source, while the Brazil nut tree benefits from the agouti's seed dispersal, which helps the tree reproduce and spread in the ecosystem.
Conclude the ecological importance: This mutualistic relationship highlights the interdependence of species in an ecosystem, emphasizing how the survival and reproduction of one species can be closely tied to the behavior of another.