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if a random mutation occurred in the bee species that led to a new phenotype in their sex pheromones that allows males to more accurately identify females, how might the presence of orphrys sphegodes act as a selection pressure that influences the fitness of individuals with this new version of the trait in competition with individuals with the original sex pheromone cues?

User Jade Han
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Bees are attracted to pheromones. It is a kind of scent that attract bees for mating. If there is the presence of orphrys sphegodes, there will be a deception in the selection of bees to mate because of the attraction made by these scent. Orphrys sphegodes is a kind of orchid that emits a scent to attract male bees to mate with the flower. If this new scent will be a new trait of a female bee, it will serve as a selection pressure that will influence the fitness of the bee for mating to the original sex pheromone cues. The accuracy of the male bee to identify the female bee that is fit for mating will be jeopardize because of the competition made by this new trait.

User Achintha Samindika
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