In the fall, squirrels often harvest large numbers of acorns and bury some of them for future consumption. Over the winter, however, many of these acorns are forgotten by the squirrels and germinate in the spring, producing the next generation of oak trees. This relationship between the squirrel and oak tree is an example of a coevolved seed dispersal mechanism.

Question

Answer the following statement true (T) or false (F)

Answer 1

True

Clarify Question


• What is the key concept addressed by the question?
     o The question is asking if you can identify an example of coevolution.
• What type of thinking is required?
     o The question requires you to apply the definition of coevolution to a novel example.
• What key words does the question contain and what do they mean?
     o Germinate: the acorn begins to grow into an oak tree if the squirrel doesn't eat it
     o Coevolution: the process by which two or more species of organisms influence each other's evolutionary pathway


Gather Content


• What do you know about coevolution?
     o Many flowering plants and their pollinators are examples of coevolution, where features of one species have influenced and been influenced by characteristics of the other species. Examples include flower color, shape, and smell being matched with the sensory capabilities, shape, and size of the pollinator. So is this a case of coevolution?


Consider Possibilities


• What is the relationship between the squirrel and oak tree?
     o The squirrel benefits by eating the acorns, which provide them with energy. The oak tree loses some seeds to the squirrels, but it also benefits because the squirrel disperses other seeds which grow into oak trees.


Choose Answer


• So is this a coevolutionary relationship?
     o The relationship between the squirrels and oak trees seem to be both long-lasting and beneficial to both species. This is an example of coevolution.


Reflect on Process


• Did your problem-solving process lead you to the correct answer? If not, where did the process break down or lead you astray? How can you revise your approach to produce a more desirable result?
     o The question was asking you to identify whether the relationship between squirrels and oak trees was an example of coevolution.
     o To get the correct answer, you needed to apply the definition of coevolution to the statement and determine whether it was an example of two species influencing each other's evolutionary pathway.
     o If you got the correct answer, congratulations. If not, perhaps you didn't realize that the features of squirrels and oak trees are long-lasting and are advantageous to both species?