Males of the moth Cosmosoma myrodora Arctiidae acquire pyrro

Males of the moth Cosmosoma myrodora (Arctiidae) acquire pyrrolizidine alkaloid by feeding on the excrescent fluids of certain plants (for instance, Eupatorium capillifolium). They incorporate the alkaloid systemically and as a result are protected against spiders. The males have a pair of abdominal pouches, densely packed with fine cuticular filaments, which in alkaloid-fed males are alkaloid laden. The males discharge the filaments on the female in bursts during courtship, embellishing her with alkaloid as a result. The topical investiture protects the female against spiders. Alkaloid-free filaments, from alkaloid-deprived males, convey no such protection. The males also transmit alkaloid to the female by seminal infusion. The systemic alkaloid thus received, which itself may contribute to the female\'s defense against spiders, is bestowed in part by the female on the eggs. Although paternal contribution to egg defense had previously been demonstrated for several arctiid moths, protective nuptial festooning of a female by its mate, such as is practiced by C. myrodora, appears to be without parallel among insects. What is the null hypothesis and alternative hypothesis from this paragraph?

Solution

Null hypothesis: No specific difference between populations is observed in anull hypothesis and any difference is observed due to sample or experimental error. In the above case null hypothesis is \"the behavior of a moth in acquiring the pyrrolizidine alkaloid plays a crucial role in defense. The males initially procured the alkaloid from plants, and as a result the males are protected against spiders. Further, the males allocate some of the acquired alkaloid to a cottony mass of cuticular filaments that he keeps tucked away in the abdomen and that he discharges on the female in bursts during courtship. The females gained alkaloid-laden filaments from males are protected   against spiders. Whereas, alkaloid-free filaments from control males that had no access to alkaloid provide no such protection.

Alternate hypothesis: The females acquired alkaloid from males through seminal infusion that contribute to her defense and also to the eggs.