Given below are two statements:
Statement I: Fig fruit is a non-vegetarian fruit as it has enclosed fig wasps in it.

Statement II: Fig wasp and fig tree exhibit mutual relationship as fig wasp completes its life cycle in fig fruit and fig fruit gets pollinated by fig wasp.
In the light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below: 

The correct answer is Both Statement I and Statement II are incorrect 

Concept:

• Fig trees (genus Ficus) and fig wasps exhibit a fascinating mutualistic relationship that has evolved over millions of years. This relationship is a classic example of co-evolution.
• The fig fruit is technically a syconium, which is an enclosed structure containing numerous tiny flowers inside. Fig wasps play a crucial role in pollinating these flowers.
• Fig wasps enter the syconium to lay their eggs, and in the process, they help pollinate the fig flowers. The fig tree provides a habitat for the wasps to complete their life cycle, while the wasps ensure the tree's reproduction through pollination.
• The presence of wasp remnants inside the fig fruit does not make it non-vegetarian, as the remnants are naturally decomposed and absorbed into the fruit during its development.

Explanation:

Statement I: "Fig fruit is a non-vegetarian fruit as it has enclosed fig wasps in it" is incorrect because:

• Fig fruits are considered vegetarian as they are plant-based, and any wasp remnants are naturally decomposed during fruit development.
• The presence of wasps is part of a natural ecological process and does not change the classification of the fruit as vegetarian.

Statement II: "Fig wasp and fig tree exhibit a mutual relationship as fig wasp completes its life cycle in fig fruit and fig fruit gets pollinated by fig wasp" is incorrect because:

• A part of the life cycle of the wasp is completed in fig fruit. (not complete)
• Fig wasps lay their eggs inside the fig fruit, and their larvae develop there.
• Fig species can be pollinated only by its ‘partner’ wasp species and no other species.
• The female wasp uses the fruit not only as an oviposition (egg-laying) site but uses the developing seeds within the fruit for nourishing its larvae.
• The wasp pollinates the fig inflorescence while searching for suitable egg-laying sites.
• In return for the favour of pollination, the fig offers the wasp some of its developing seeds, as food for the developing wasp larvae.