Given below are two statements: one is labelled as Assertion (A) and the other is labelled as Reason (R). Assertion (A): If the female bee's colour patterns change slightly during evolution, the Mediterranean orchid Ophrys must co-evolve to maintain the resemblance of its petal. Reason (R): The orchid offers a nectar reward to the male bee, which ensures pollination even if the petal's resemblance to the female bee i

Step-by-step solution

Assertion (A) is correct. The Mediterranean orchid Ophrys relies on sexual deceit for pollination. One of its petals resembles the female bee in size, colour, and markings. If the female bee's colour patterns change during evolution, the orchid must co-evolve to maintain this resemblance, otherwise pollination success will be reduced. Reason (R) is incorrect. Ophrys does not offer any nectar or edible reward to the male bee. The male bee is attracted solely by the perceived resemblance to a female bee and 'pseudoco