Co-evolution is a spectacular example of mutualism between an animal and a plant. Describe co-evolution with the help of an example.

Co-evolution is the mutual relationship between two interacting organisms where both the organisms are unable to survive in the absence of the other. The co-evolution of fig and wasp as a pollination is highly linked with one another. Fig and wasp is a good example of mutualism and coevolution between a plant species and an animal species.

The female wasp uses the fruit and fig for oviposition/egg laying, uses seeds within the fruit (developing seeds) for nourishing its larvae. In return the wasp pollinates the fig inflorescence, the given fig species can be pollinated only by its 'partner' wasp species & no other species.

Co-evolution can be observed in Fig (plant) and wasp (animal). The female wasp uses the fruit for oviposition or egg laying. It also uses developing seeds within the fruit for nourishing its larvae. The wasp in turn pollinates the fig inflorescence. The given Fig species can be pollinated by its ‘partner’ wasp species and no other species.