Trap jaw ants have modified mandibles that function like a bear trap-when a potential prey item triggers the jaw, it snaps shut with amazing speed (up to 145 mph). The groups highlighted in the phylogeny below include species that have evolved trap jaws. With reference to this tree it appears that
A) the trap jaw could be a homologous trait for Formicinae and Ponerinae.
B) the trap jaw is homoplasious (analogous) for Myrmicinae and Ponerinae.
C) the trap jaw is homoplasious (analogous) for Odontomachus and Myrmoteras.
D) a and c
E) b and c

Question

Trap jaw ants have modified mandibles that function like a bear trap-when a potential prey item triggers the jaw, it snaps shut with amazing speed (up to 145 mph). The groups highlighted in the phylogeny below include species that have evolved trap jaws. With reference to this tree it appears that 
A) the trap jaw could be a homologous trait for Formicinae and Ponerinae. 
B) the trap jaw is homoplasious (analogous) for Myrmicinae and Ponerinae. 
C) the trap jaw is homoplasious (analogous) for Odontomachus and Myrmoteras. 
D) a and c 
E) b and c

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The Answer of Trap jaw ants have modified mandibles that function like a bear trap-when a potential prey item triggers the jaw, it snaps shut with amazing speed (up to 145 mph). The groups highlighted in the phylogeny below include species that have evolved trap jaws. With reference to this tree it appears that 
A) the trap jaw could be a homologous trait for Formicinae and Ponerinae. 
B) the trap jaw is homoplasious (analogous) for Myrmicinae and Ponerinae. 
C) the trap jaw is homoplasious (analogous) for Odontomachus and Myrmoteras. 
D) a and c 
E) b and c

Trap Jaw Ants Have Modified Mandibles That Function Like a Bear