Question

Pollination in Rafflesia is occurred by
A. Carrion flies
B. Elephant
C. Bat
D. Crow

Answer 1

Hint: Pollination takes two forms: self-pollination and cross-pollination. Self-pollination is done when the pollen from the anther is transferred to the stigma of the same flower or another flower on the same plant. Cross-pollination is the transfer of pollen from the anther of one flower to the stigma of another flower on a different individual of the same species.

Step by step answer:(A) Pollination is mediated by carrion (bluebottle) flies off the genera Lucilia and Chrysomya. The individual flowers of Rafflesia are either male or female and pollinated by bluebottle carrion flies. These are attracted by the color and the smell of tainted beef. The flowers of these plants do not have nectar to the flies, these flies are fooled into looking for food or a place to lay eggs.
(B) Pollination by an elephant is called Elephophily. It is found in plants whose flowers are very large and are found at ground level. The pollen grains of one flower get attached to the feet of elephants and carried to the stigma of another flower. Since Rafflesia emits a foul odor by this it is called a corpse flower. The animals are not attracted to foul smells.
(C) A bat flies to a plant to drink nectar from the flowers. Pollen sticks to their body. The bat flies to another plant for more food. The bat transfers the pollen from his body to the new plant.
(D) Crows help in the pollination of Agave. but they do not attract foul smell so this option is wrong.
Hence, the correct answer is Option A

Note: The genus of Rafflesia includes 13 species of parasitic flowering plants. The flower with subtending scales is the only part of the plant external to the host and is produced solely on roots and sometimes stems from genus Tetrastigma (Vitaceae). This species is endemic to the Crocker Range in the Malaysian state of Sabah in northern Borneo.