Question
Biology Question on evolution and natural selection
The prickly pear cactus became unusually abundant after its introduction in Australia, because it
A
had no coevolved herbivores
B
formed new mycorrhizal association
C
lost its thorns
D
all of these
Answer
had no coevolved herbivores
Explanation
Solution
Coevolution is caused by the selection pressures that each of the two species exerts on the other. Since there has been no coevolved herbivore with prickly pear cactus, it became abundant in Australia.