In terms of Darwinism and survival of species. Any fruit that has a seed on the inside would need to be eaten by an animal. The seed would then be excreted out and left to move into the ground. This seed may or may not then grow to become a tree. So if this is true what actually eats Lemons to allow the seeds to be spread in this fashion???
2006-09-27 09:30:51 · 3 answers · asked by Ollie J 1 in Environment
The answer seems to be, mostly, RATS!!
From University of Florida:
"The secretive, nocturnal nature of rats means that they often go unnoticed in a neighborhood until dooryard citrus and other fruit starts to ripen. They thenmake their presence known with a vengeance. In citrus, papaya, cantaloupe and watermelon, the characteristic damage is a circular hole about the size of a quarter or half dollar and the whole fruit hollowed out."
Also, may be other animals such as squirrels, etc., according to a thread at Garden Web (2nd link). I assume that if they are doing it now, their ancestors also did this.
Hope this answers your question!
2006-09-27 09:41:11 · answer #1 · answered by Yahzmin ♥♥ 4ever 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
That is not the only way seeds are released from fruit. In fact, many seeds if eaten would simply be digested. Many kinds of seeds are dispersed when the fruit simply drops to the ground and either splits open, or more often, rots away.
2006-09-27 17:32:56 · answer #2 · answered by barbara m 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
actually, it doesn't necessarily have to be eaten. The surrounding fruit can decompose, thus actually fertilizing the ground around the seed, to permit the seed to take root. Animal consumption is just faster.
2006-09-27 16:36:49 · answer #3 · answered by ohmneo 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋