An ecologist studying interaction strength in a pond set up laboratory experiments using aquaria.He set up food webs in two aquaria that included these interactions: After populations in the aquaria stabilized, the ecologist removed the small fish from one aquarium.The population of Daphnia there immediately increased rapidly.This indicates that the interactor species (fish) had what effect on the target species (Daphnia)?
A) No interaction
B) Strong positive interaction
C) Strong negative interaction
D) Weak positive interaction
E) Weak negative interaction

Question

An ecologist studying interaction strength in a pond set up laboratory experiments using aquaria.He set up food webs in two aquaria that included these interactions:  After populations in the aquaria stabilized, the ecologist removed the small fish from one aquarium.The population of Daphnia there immediately increased rapidly.This indicates that the interactor species (fish) had what effect on the target species (Daphnia)?
A) No interaction 
B) Strong positive interaction 
C) Strong negative interaction 
D) Weak positive interaction 
E) Weak negative interaction

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The rapid increase in the population of Daphnia after the removal of the small fish indicates that they were being strongly negatively affected by the fish. This suggests that the fish were preying on the Daphnia and limiting their population.

An Ecologist Studying Interaction Strength in a Pond Set Up