Which of the factors likely contributed to the evolution of inducible defenses against herbivory? Select all that apply. a. differing strategies for overcoming plant defenses among herbivores b. unpredictable fluctuations in local herbivore populations c. the cost to growth of allocating resources to defense d. consistent fitness benefits of high allocations to defense

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Biology

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5 March, 21:03

Which of the factors likely contributed to the evolution of inducible defenses against herbivory? Select all that apply. a. differing strategies for overcoming plant defenses among herbivores b. unpredictable fluctuations in local herbivore populations c. the cost to growth of allocating resources to defense d. consistent fitness benefits of high allocations to defense

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Moises Wilson · Answer 1

c. the cost to growth of allocating resources to defense

d. consistent fitness benefits of high allocations to defense

Explanation:

In order to ensure survival by escape of grazing and browsing by herbivores (and insects) plant usually adopt different defence mechanisms. This forms the basis for the optimum defence hypothesis.

The basic idea of the hypothesis is that the type of defence that an organism e. g plant will adopt against an herbivore depends on its fitness, and since this involve expenditure of energy it will be expensive for the organism to afford and maintain.