Question

Which one of the following is INCORRECT regarding brood parasitism?

• A. Asian koel lays eggs in the nest of Indian crow
• B. Indian crow incubates eggs of Asian koel
• C. Eggs of Indian crow have evolved to resemble Asian koel's eggs to avoid ejection.
• D. Eggs of Asian Koel hatch before that of common Indian crow

Hint:

In brood parasitism, the parasite's eggs evolve to look like the host's eggs.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: Understanding the Concept
In brood parasitism, the parasite (Asian koel) lays eggs in the nest of the host (Indian crow).

Step 2: Check the statements
The koel lays eggs in the crow's nest, and the crow incubates and rears them. Both are true. Koel eggs hatch earlier than crow eggs, which is also true.

Step 3: Find the false one
To avoid detection, it is the parasite's eggs that evolve to resemble the host's eggs. The reverse statement, that crow eggs resemble koel eggs, is incorrect.

Final Answer:
The incorrect statement is that crow eggs resemble koel eggs. \[ \boxed{\text{(C) }\text{Eggs of Indian crow have evolved to resemble Asian koel's eggs to avoid ejection}} \]