Question

pollination syndromes are suites of floral traits that have independently evolved as a result of selection pressure exerted by pollinators; psychophilous (butterfly - pollinated) flowers, for example, frequently exhibit a narrow, tubular shape. in a review of previous studies covering 417 plant species, victor rosas - guerrero et al. concluded that the syndromes reliably predict angiosperms most effective pollinators. however, in a response paper, jeff ollerton et al. note that rosas - guerrero et al. may have inadvertently excluded studies published before the term “pollinator effectiveness” came into common use. what does the text most strongly suggest about the study conducted by rosas - guerrero et al.? a) because the study contained data on a limited number of plant species, its conclusion is accurate for those species but cannot be applied to species not in the study. b) a limitation in the methodology used by the researchers may entail that the studys conclusion is not well - supported. c) due to the difficulty of gathering representative research on angiosperms, the study may have included previous research with a focus too heterogeneous to be comparable. d) the approach selected by the researchers enabled them to sort through and remove obviously incomplete or inconsistent data before conducting their analysis.

Explanation:

The text mentions that Jeff Ollerton et al. note Rosas - Guerrero et al. may have inadvertently excluded studies published before the term "pollinator effectiveness" came into common use. This implies a limitation in methodology which may undermine the study's conclusion.

Answer:

B. A limitation in the methodology used by the researchers may entail that the study's conclusion is not well supported.