Fruit flies in the genus \emph{Bactrocera} are pests that harm fruit crops. Table 3.1 shows the names and geographic distributions of \emph{Bactrocera} fruit flies that had been treated as four different species. In 2014, this classification was revised. All four species were then accepted as a single species, \emph{B. dorsalis}.
(a(i))[2]
Suggest reasons why the four species were first placed in separate species.
(a(ii))[2]
Some students decided to test whether the flies belonged to one species or to four separate species. Suggest a simple investigation that the students could do.
(b)[2]
Name two kingdoms that contain organisms that could spoil fruit by secreting extracellular enzymes.
(c)[4]
Explain why introducing alien species should be avoided.
(d)[2]
Suggest how reclassifying \emph{B. invadens} as \emph{B. dorsalis} would help fruit-producing countries in Africa.
Worked solution & mark scheme
This 12-mark question has a full step-by-step worked solution and mark scheme. One marking point: “morphological / phenotypic differences” …