Brood Parasites Ensure Their Reproductive Success by the Following Mechanisms

Question

Brood parasites ensure their reproductive success by the following mechanisms EXCEPT ____.  
A) producing eggs closely resembling that of the host
B) producing a large number of eggs
C) producing young that give off smells and sounds similar to those of the host
D) making their host vulnerable to predation
E) utilizing the host parental care mechanisms

Accepted Answer

Making the host vulnerable to predation would not ensure the reproductive success of brood parasites. In fact, it could have the opposite effect by reducing the survival chances of the host and potentially leading to the failure of the entire brood. The other mechanisms listed, including producing eggs resembling the host's, producing a large number of eggs, utilizing host parental care, and producing young that mimic the host's smells and sounds, all increase the chances of the brood parasite successfully raising offspring.