A research team assesses the impact of the invasive species Lantana camara on the seed set of a native flowering plant S. The plant S usually grows in clumps with other individuals of the same or different flowering species. They measure the seed set of flowering individuals of S grown (i) alone; (ii) with a conspecific (same species); (iii) with a native species Q; (iv) with a native species R; (v) with Lantana camara. The figure below shows the mean seed set with 95% confidence intervals for the different treatments.Based on the figure provided, which one or more of the options given is/are correct?
Show Hint
- Seed set is higher in the presence of both the native species than in the presence of a conspecific.
- Seed set is lower in the presence of Lantana camara than in the presence of both the native species.
- Seed set is lower in the presence of Lantana camara than in the presence of a conspecific.
- Seed set is always higher in the presence of other plants than when grown alone.
The Correct Option is C
Solution and Explanation
Effect of Lantana camara on Seed Set
Step 1: Approximate means from the bar plot:
\[ \text{Alone} \approx 160, \quad \text{Conspecific} \approx 170, \quad \text{Native Q} \approx 90, \quad \text{Native R} \approx 250, \quad \textit{Lantana} \approx 80 \]
Step 2: Check each statement against the data.
(A) “Both native species > conspecific.” Native Q (≈90) is lower than conspecific (≈170). \(\Rightarrow\) False.
(B) “Lantana < both natives.” Lantana (≈80) is less than Native Q (≈90) and Native R (≈250). \(\Rightarrow\) True.
(C) “Lantana < conspecific.” Lantana (≈80) is clearly lower than conspecific (≈170). \(\Rightarrow\) True.
(D) “Always higher with other plants than alone.” With Native Q (≈90) and Lantana (≈80), seed set is lower than Alone (≈160). \(\Rightarrow\) False.
Final Answer: \[ \boxed{(B) \text{ and } (C)} \]
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