The significance of a very large number of termites involved in nuptial swarming is to

Step 1: Analyze the question The question asks why so many termites take part in nuptial swarming. Nuptial swarming is when winged reproductive termites (alates) leave the colony in huge numbers, usually after the first rains, to mate and start new colonies.

Step 2: Explain the concept Swarming termites are weak fliers and have almost no defence. Birds, lizards, toads, ants, bats and even humans feed on them heavily. Many are eaten before they can mate or found a colony. This is a survival strategy: if a huge number are released together, predators cannot eat them all, so enough survive to mate and start new colonies. This is called predator satiation.

Step 3: Evaluate the options

• A. Provide birds with plenty of food: Birds do eat them, but this is a side effect. It does not benefit the termites.
• B. Ensure their perpetuation despite predatory pressure: Correct. Large numbers make sure some survive predation and the species continues.
• C. Search for a favourable place to breed: Dispersal does serve this purpose, but it doesn't explain why the number is so large.
• D. Ensure that every individual gets a mate: Not true. Most individuals die without mating.

Step 4: Answer The correct answer is B.

Exam tip: When a question asks about the significance of "a very large number" of offspring or individuals, think of survival of the species despite heavy losses. The same logic applies to fish laying thousands of eggs and to frogs spawning in large numbers.