Question

perform different tasks. scientists call such cooperative groups eusocial (yu - soh - shul). overlapping generations live together in castes, with each performing different roles. among eusocial animals, some workers might be responsible for finding food, while others might be nurses or caregivers. eusocial has been used to describe certain societies of insects and crustaceans, along with two species of mole rats. burns wondered if ferns, too, might be eusocial. his teams data now indicate they are. these ferns appear to form a complex society made up of interdependent groups. truly eusocial? let me count the ways ferns reproduce via spores, which form on the underside of leaf - like fronds. some four in every 10 fronds of the studied communities of staghorn ferns could not reproduce and mostly served as nests for others. however, another fern with strap fronds could develop fertile spores. this suggests a division of labor between fronds that do and dont form nests. assessment questions evidence that staghorn ferns are most likely eusocial? a. \a mass of strange ferns embraces a trunk high among the treetops. they look like a giant tangle of floppy, green antlers.\ (paragraph 1) b. \eusocial has been used to describe certain societies of insects and crustaceans, along with two species of mole rats.\ (paragraph 7) c. \these ferns appear to form a complex society made up of interdependent groups.\ (paragraph 8) d. \ferns reproduce via spores, which form on the underside of leaf - like fronds.\ (paragraph 9)

Explanation:

Eusocial groups have overlapping generations living in castes with different - role performance and form a complex society of interdependent groups. Option C mentions that staghorn ferns form a complex society made up of interdependent groups, which is evidence of eusociality.

Answer:

C. "These ferns appear to form a complex society made up of interdependent groups." (Paragraph 8)