UPSC Prelims 2022 · Question 90 of 98
UPSC Prelims 2022 question on Fungus Cultivating Ants
- ExamUPSC CSE
- Year2022
- PaperGeneral Studies Paper I
- SubjectEnvironment and Ecology
- TopicBiodiversity
- DifficultyEasy
- TypeDirect
Certain species of which one of the following organisms are well known as cultivators of fungi?
Show answer
Answer: A. Ant
The ant–fungus mutualism is a symbiosis seen between certain ant and fungal species, in which ants actively cultivate fungus much like humans farm crops as a food source.
Leafcutter ants use leaves as their fertilizer to grow their crop: fungus. They cultivate their fungal gardens by providing them with freshly cut leaves, protecting them from pests and molds, and clearing them of decayed material and garbage. In return, the fungus acts as a food source for the ants' larvae.
Hence Option (a) Ant is the correct answer.
More questions on Biodiversity
← Full 2022 question paper · All Environment and Ecology questions