In the Lotka-Volterra predation model, a predator population in the absence of prey (hosts) would
A) grow exponentially.
B) grow logistically.
C) decline as predators die.
D) decline at first, but then increase as predators switch to other modes of feeding.
E) decline at first, but then reach a small equilibrium population size.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

In the absence of prey (hosts), the predator population does not have a food source and will eventually die off due to starvation and competition for resources. Therefore, the predator population will decline as predators die.

In the Lotka-Volterra Predation Model, a Predator Population in the Absence