A situation in which the African king fish encases itself in a cocoon, mud and mucus until the next rainy season is called

Analyze the question: The fish encases itself in a cocoon of mud and mucus and stays that way until the next rainy season. So the question is about a state of inactivity during a hot, dry period.

Explain the concepts:

• Adaptation: any structural, physiological, or behavioural feature that helps an organism survive. It is a general term, not a specific state of inactivity.
• Aestivation: a state of inactivity or "summer sleep" that an animal enters to survive hot, dry conditions. Examples are the African lungfish, snails, and some amphibians.
• Diapause: a temporary pause in development, mostly in insects, often triggered by seasonal cues.
• Dormancy: a general term for a resting state with reduced metabolism. It is commonly used for seeds and buds.
• Hibernation: a state of inactivity to survive cold winter conditions.

Solution:

1. The fish seals itself in mud and mucus because the water has dried up. This points to heat and drought, not cold.
2. It stays inactive until the rainy season returns.
3. Inactivity during hot, dry conditions is called aestivation.

The question says "African king fish", but the classic Nigerian textbook example of this behaviour is the African lungfish (Protopterus). It burrows into mud, secretes a mucus cocoon, and breathes air through its lungs until the rains come. The question clearly describes this behaviour. Dormancy is also loosely true, but aestivation is the specific term, so it is the best answer.

Answer: B. aestivation

Tip: Remember Aestivation = Air-hot, dry season (summer), and Hibernation = Harmattan or cold season. Lungfish, snails, and mud in the dry season point to aestivation.