Question

collared peccaries and parasitic wasps are two organisms that were introduced to the ecosystem in wh between the spiny cacti and these two organisms. organisms introduced into the ecosystem organism relationship with spiny cactus plants collared peccary (musk hog) they eat spiny cactus plants that have a small number of spines. parasitic wasp they lay eggs at the base of cactus spines. when the eggs hatch, the emerging grubs dig into the interior of the cactus and eat the inner pulp of the plant, usually destroying the plant. these wasps lay eggs on spiny cactus plants that have a large number of spines. which statement best explains why the pattern of data in the graph supports the claim that natural sel the data pattern shows that most spiny cacti have a small number of spines. which affects surviva the data pattern shows variation in the spine number trait, which affects survival. the data pattern shows variation in the spine number trait, which does not affect survival. the data pattern shows that most spiny cacti have a large number of spines, which does not affect

Explanation:

Natural selection requires variation in a trait (here, spine number) that affects survival. Collared peccaries eat cacti with few spines, and parasitic wasps target those with many. Variation in spine number thus impacts survival, which is key for natural selection.

Answer:

The data pattern shows variation in the spine number trait, which affects survival.