In your backyard you overturn a large rock. In the damp soil underneath the rock, you see various insects scurrying for cover: one black spider, five black ants, two brown beetles, and three gray pillbugs. In this community of organisms, species richness is represented by
A) the ants, since there are more of them than any other organism.
B) eleven total organisms.
C) four different species of organisms.
D) the ants and the spider equally, since they have the greatest number of organisms of the same color.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Species richness refers to the number of different species within a community. In this scenario, there are four different species of organisms: black spider, black ants, brown beetles, and gray pillbugs. Therefore, C is the best choice. The number of organisms or the color of the organisms does not determine the species richness.

In Your Backyard You Overturn a Large Rock