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Q20 (IAS/2022) Environment & Ecology › Ecology & Ecosystem Basics › Species interactions Official Key

Certain species of which one of the following organisms are well known as cultivators of fungi ?

Result
Your answer: —  ·  Correct: A
Explanation

The correct answer is Option 1 (Ant).

Certain species of ants, most notably the leaf-cutter ants (belonging to the tribe Attini), are famous for their sophisticated mutualistic relationship with fungi. These ants do not eat the leaves they collect; instead, they use the masticated foliage as a substrate to "farm" specific types of fungi (typically from the family Lepiotaceae). The ants provide the fungi with protection and nutrients, while the fungi serve as the primary food source for the ant larvae.

While other organisms like termites and ambrosia beetles also cultivate fungi, they are not listed among the options. Cockroaches, crabs, and spiders do not exhibit this complex agricultural behavior. Spiders are predators, crabs are mostly scavengers or detritivores, and cockroaches are opportunistic omnivores. Therefore, Ants are the only scientifically accurate choice for organisms well-known as cultivators of fungi in this context.

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Q. Certain species of which one of the following organisms are well known as cultivators of fungi ? [A] Ant [B] Cockroach [C] Crab [D] S…
At a glance
Origin: Mostly Current Affairs Fairness: Low / Borderline fairness Books / CA: 0/10 · 2.5/10
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This is a classic 'Nature's Wonders' question, typical of the Science & Tech or Environment section. It moves beyond textbook definitions of Mutualism (like Lichens) to specific, famous biological behaviors. It rewards general curiosity (NatGeo/Discovery) over rote textbook memorization.

How this question is built

This question can be broken into the following sub-statements. Tap a statement sentence to jump into its detailed analysis.

Statement 1
Are certain species of ants well known as cultivators of fungi?
Origin: Web / Current Affairs Fairness: CA heavy Web-answerable

Web source
Presence: 5/5
"All are obligate fungus farmers, but they do not cultivate a single fungal species. Rather, ant agriculture comprises four ... systems in which ... groups of ants cultivate four groups of fungi"
Why this source?
  • Explicitly states that a group of ants are obligate fungus farmers.
  • Describes that multiple ant groups cultivate distinct groups of fungi, showing cultivation is a well-established behavior.
Web source
Presence: 5/5
"The fungal chronogram ... indicates that all 288 ant-cultivated fungi belong to two families in the order Agaricales"
Why this source?
  • Refers directly to 'ant-cultivated fungi', confirming ants actively cultivate fungi.
  • Specifies the fungal lineages associated with ant cultivation, indicating well-documented associations.
Web source
Presence: 4/5
"We found that fungus-ant agriculture originated ~66 million years ago ... favoring the proliferation of fungi."
Why this source?
  • Describes the origin and deep evolutionary history of 'fungus-ant agriculture', confirming it as a recognized phenomenon.
  • Links ants and fungal lineages used 'for food', implying deliberate cultivation/management of fungi by ants.

Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain (Access publishing 3rd ed.) > Chapter 1: BASIC CONCEPTS OF ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY > Niche > p. 12
Strength: 5/5
“Some species have symbiotic relationships, an arrangement that mutually benefts and sustains each organism. For example, lichen (pronounced "liken") is made up of algae and fungi living together. Te algae is the producer and food source, and the fungus provides structure and physical support. Teir mutually benefcial relationship (mutualism) allows the two to occupy a niche in which neither could survive alone. An ecological niche consists of: • (i) Habitat– where the species live.• (ii) Food niche what a species eats and decomposes and what species it competes with.• (iii) Reproductive niche how and when it reproduces.• (iv) Physical and chemical niche temperature, moisture, and landform.• (v) Geo-ecological niche– topography, terrain, slope, and soils etc.”
Why relevant

Defines symbiotic/mutualistic relationships (example: lichen) showing organisms can form close, mutually beneficial partnerships with fungi.

How to extend

A student could apply this general mutualism pattern to ask whether some ants might have evolved a mutualism with fungi (e.g., farming/ cultivation).

Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain (Access publishing 3rd ed.) > Chapter 3: MAJOR BIOMES > 1. Tropical Evergreen Rainforest Biome > p. 7
Strength: 3/5
“such as orchids, bromeliads and fern that live entirely above ground, supported physically but not nutritionally by the structures of other plants are epiphytes. Epiphytes plants attach themselves to the trunk, branches or foliage of trees and lianas. Teir 'host' is used solely as a means of physical support. Epiphytes include plants of many diferent types – ferns, orchids, mosses, and lichens. Undergrowth is restricted in many areas by the shortage of sunlight at ground level. Tese epiphytes provide certain habitats to microorganisms, such as snails, centipedes, termites, earthworms, lizards, tree-frogs, ants, tse-tse fies, mosquitos, and numerous insects. Te main animals include numerous birds, bats, falconet, swifts, parakeets, barbets, monkeys, squirrels, peacocks, bill-bird and fowls.”
Why relevant

Lists ants among organisms common in tropical rainforest habitats where fungi are also said to be diverse/abundant.

How to extend

Using a map of tropical forests and knowledge that such habitats support both ants and fungi, a student might look for ecological interactions like fungus cultivation among rainforest ant species.

FUNDAMENTALS OF PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY, Geography Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 5: Geomorphic Processes > Biological Activity > p. 45
Strength: 4/5
“Further, bacteria and other soil organisms take gaseous nitrogen from the air and convert it into a chemical form that can be used by plants. This process is known as nitrogen fixation. Rhizobium, a type of bacteria, lives in the root nodules of leguminous plants and fixes nitrogen beneficial to the host plant. The influence of large animals like ants, termites, earthworms, rodents etc., is mechanical, but, it is nevertheless important in soil formation as they rework the soil up and down. In case of earthworms, as they feed on soil, the texture and chemistry of the soil that comes out of their body changes.”
Why relevant

Notes that ants significantly influence soil and biological activity, implying they can modify environments and interact closely with soil organisms.

How to extend

From ants' strong ecological role, a student could infer ants are capable of behaviors (nest-building, substrate manipulation) that might support growing or tending fungi.

Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 9: Indian Biodiversity Diverse Landscape > 2. Fungi: > p. 156
Strength: 3/5
“Non-green, non-differentiated plants characterised by total absence of chlorophyll are called Fungi. They grow either on dead, rotten organic matters as saprophytes or live as parasites on other living bodies, which are referred to as hosts. Moulds and mushrooms are the familiar examples of saprophytic fungi. The maximum diversity of fungi is in the Western Ghats, followed by the eastern Himalaya and the western Himalaya.”
Why relevant

Describes fungi as common decomposers and highlights regions of high fungal diversity (e.g., Western Ghats, Himalaya).

How to extend

Knowing fungi are widespread and ecologically important, a student could investigate whether local ant species exploit or manage fungal resources in those biodiverse regions.

Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 1: Ecology > ii) Micro consumers - Saprotrophs (decomposers or osmotrophs) > p. 7
Strength: 3/5
“(ii) Micro consumers - Saprotrophs (decomposers or osmotrophs) • They are bacteria and fungi which obtain energy and nutrients by decomposing dead organic substances (detritus) of plant and animal origin. • The products of decomposition such as inorganic nutrients which are released in the ecosystem are reused by producers and thus recycled. • Earthworm and certain soil organisms (such as nematodes, and arthropods) are detritus feeders and help in the decomposition of organic matter and are called detrivores.”
Why relevant

Groups fungi and some soil arthropods together as decomposers/detritus processors, indicating ecological overlap between insects and fungi.

How to extend

A student could use this overlap to explore specific interactions — beyond decomposition — such as insects cultivating fungi for food within nests.

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