Given below are two statements: one is labelled as Assertion (A) and the other is labelled as Reason (R). Assertion (A): Plant-animal interactions often involve co-evolution of the mutualists. Reason (R): The evolution of the flower and its pollinator species are tightly linked with one another, as seen in fig and its partner wasp. In the light of the above statements, choose the correct answer from the options given

Step-by-step solution

Both Assertion and Reason are correct statements, and the Reason correctly explains the Assertion. Plant-animal interactions, particularly those involving pollination, often show co-evolution. This means that the evolution of the flower and its pollinator species are tightly linked with one another. A classic example is the mutualistic relationship between fig trees and pollinator wasps, where a given fig species can only be pollinated by its specific partner wasp species and no other. Answer: Both Assertion and Re