Question 1

The likelihood that a species of spadefoot toad will develop into a carnivore morph (as opposed to an omnivore morph) depends on whether it is in the vicinity of a competitor. This dependence is an example of _______.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The likelihood that a species of spadefoot...

Question 2

Which of the following statements about ectoparasites is false?

Accepted Answer

All of the statements are true, none of them are false. Many ectoparasites have adaptations for attachment, some have brief associations with hosts, most are highly specialized, and many have lost their wings.

Question 3

As their name suggests, stick insects ("walking sticks") strongly resemble sticks or twigs. The most specific term for this method of avoiding detection by predators is

Accepted Answer

The answer of As their name suggests, stick insects ("walking...

Question 4

If a species of plant that is trampled by an animal eventually evolves sharp spines that prevent trampling, we can say that its association with the animal has changed from _______ to _______.

Accepted Answer

Amensalism is the relationship where one species is harmed while the other is neither benefited nor harmed. Trampling of the plant by the animal is an example of amensalism. However, when the plant evolves sharp spines that prevent trampling, it is competing with the animal for survival. Hence, the association has changed from amensalism to competition.

Question 5

If the removal of a predator results in expansion of a spider's range, it is likely that the spider's _______ niche is larger than its _______ niche in the presence of predators.

Accepted Answer

The answer of If the removal of a predator results...

Question 6

Two species of aphids compete for the same resource, and neither interferes with the other. This is an example of both _______ competition and _______ competition.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Two species of aphids compete for the...

Question 7

Certain birds follow swarms of foraging army ants and prey upon the insects that the ants flush out. The relationship between these birds and the ants is an example of

Accepted Answer

The answer of Certain birds follow swarms of foraging army...

Question 8

Most of the great diversity of plant biochemistry is due to _______ adaptations between plants and insect herbivores.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Most of the great diversity of plant...

Question 9

In the exchange between plants and frugivores, plants exchange food for _______.

Accepted Answer

The answer of In the exchange between plants and frugivores,...

Question 10

Which of the following does not describe an antagonistic interaction between two living organisms?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following does not describe...

Question 11

Hosts of pathogens can be classified as _______, infected, or recovered.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Hosts of pathogens can be classified as...

Question 12

Which of the following statements about microparasites is true?

Accepted Answer

Microparasite infection rates typically rise when there is a dense population of susceptible hosts, as this facilitates transmission.

Question 13

Which of the following types of interaction would be least likely to lead to coevolution of the interacting species?

Accepted Answer

Commensal interactions involve one species benefiting without affecting the other, so there is no strong selection pressure for coevolution to occur. In contrast, predator-prey, plant-herbivore, parasite-host, and mutualistic interactions all involve strong selective pressures that can lead to coevolution.

Question 14

Bats usually pollinate flowers that have a _______ odor.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Bats usually pollinate flowers that have a...

Question 15

Use the following to answer questions :
A hypothetical group of researchers is conducting a study to investigate whether character displacement is occurring in grasshopper species. This species has a range in which it shares some area with a competitor, while in other areas the competitor is missing. The diagram below shows the results for the three traits that were measured: tibia length, femur length, and mouthpart size. The measurements for the focal species in the absence of the competitor and the focal species in the presence of the competitor are designated A and A´, respectively. Panel B shows the measurements of the competitor. 
-Which traits show evidence of character displacement in species A?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Use the following to answer questions :
A...

Question 16

The most common defense of plants against herbivores is

Accepted Answer

The production of secondary metabolites is the most common and effective defense mechanism of plants against herbivores. These chemicals can be toxic or unpleasant tasting to herbivores, or they can interfere with herbivore digestion or metabolism. Examples include alkaloids, terpenoids, and phenolic compounds.

Question 17

Use the following to answer questions :
A hypothetical group of researchers is conducting a study to investigate whether character displacement is occurring in grasshopper species. This species has a range in which it shares some area with a competitor, while in other areas the competitor is missing. The diagram below shows the results for the three traits that were measured: tibia length, femur length, and mouthpart size. The measurements for the focal species in the absence of the competitor and the focal species in the presence of the competitor are designated A and A´, respectively. Panel B shows the measurements of the competitor. 
-How would one test whether the differences that may have arisen due to character displacement are the result of genetic changes or just an environmental response?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Use the following to answer questions :
A...

Question 18

Skunks, which are noted for their ability to spray would-be predators with a foul-smelling chemical, typically have a coat that is mostly black with contrasting white stripes or spots. This color pattern is an example of

Accepted Answer

Skunks exhibit aposematism, a protective mechanism in which the animal's bright or contrasting colors serve as a warning to predators that it is venomous or has a foul taste or odor. In this case, the skunk's black and white color pattern warns predators of its ability to spray a noxious chemical. Mimicry refers to an animal's resemblance to another object or organism, camouflage refers to an animal's ability to blend in with its surroundings, crypsis refers to an animal's ability to remain undetected, and homotypy refers to the similarity in appearance between two different species.

Question 19

In many pollination systems, nectar serves as a(n) _______, luring the pollinator to visit the flower.

Accepted Answer

The answer of In many pollination systems, nectar serves as...

Question 20

In addition to being macroparasites, ticks are usually _______ because they often live outside their host.

Accepted Answer

The answer of In addition to being macroparasites, ticks are...

Quiz 56: Species Interaction and Coevolution