Question

martin dančák, wewin tjiasmanto, and colleagues have identified a new carnivorous plant species (nepenthes pudica) in indonesia. like other carnivorous plants, n. pudica has pitfall traps, or pitchers, that capture prey, but unlike others, the pitchers of n. pudica are located underground. the researchers unearthed the new species on fairly dry ridges with surfaces that host few other plants and animals. therefore, the researchers hypothesize that the n. pudica species likely ______ which choice most logically completes the text? choose 1 answer: is buried by nearby animals as they forage along the ridges for food. evolved to have underground traps to access more prey than would surface traps. formed pitchers early in development to absorb more moisture. represents one of many undiscovered carnivorous plant species in the region.

Explanation:

The text states that N. pudica has underground traps (pitchers) and was found in an area with few surface - dwelling plants and animals. Carnivorous plants use traps to catch prey. If the surface has few prey (because there are few plants and animals on the surface), having underground traps would be a way to access more prey.

• Option A: There is no indication in the text that animals bury the plant. The text is about the plant's adaptation (underground traps), not about animal - caused burial.
• Option C: The text is about the plant being carnivorous (trapping prey) not about moisture absorption.
• Option D: The text is focused on explaining the adaptation of N. pudica (underground traps) based on its habitat, not on the number of undiscovered species.

Answer:

B. evolved to have underground traps to access more prey than would surface traps.