Question 1

Eastern tent caterpillars are social nesters that spin weblike nests, or tents, to which they keep adding layers as they molt and grow.The caterpillars leave the tent several times each day to feed on the leaves of their host tree.Many potential predators will attack one tent caterpillar and then refrain from attacking or eating others.Two possible deterrents to predation are the stiff hairs present on caterpillars (but not pupae) and toxic cyanide compounds, which caterpillars absorb from cherry trees where they nest and feed.Researchers wish to determine whether either of these actually deters predators.Which study design would most clearly distinguish between the two possible deterrents?

Accepted Answer

Option E allows for the comparison of both potential deterrents (stiff hairs and toxic cyanide compounds) by including all relevant variables: toxic and nontoxic caterpillars and the hairless pupae. This design enables researchers to observe predator responses to the presence or absence of each deterrent, thereby clearly distinguishing between the effects of the caterpillars' stiff hairs and the toxic compounds they may contain.

Question 2

Climate change leads to much drier climates in some areas.Over time, some plant species will likely show genetic changes related to their ability to withstand drought.In this situation, the precipitation level is acting as

Accepted Answer

Precipitation level, which is an abiotic factor, is acting as an abiotic agent of evolution as it is leading to genetic changes in plant species over time to withstand drought. A biotic factor would refer to living organisms that are influencing evolution, but in this scenario, it is not the case. Coevolution refers to the influence of two or more species on each other's evolution, which does not apply here. The evolution of plant species in response to drought due to a change in precipitation level is an example of evolution through natural selection, which leads to local adaptation.

Question 3

A skunk's defense against predators includes a noxious spray combined with sharply contrasting black-and-white coloration.This combined defense is an example of

Accepted Answer

The combination of noxious spray and contrasting black-and-white coloration is a type of warning coloration, also known as aposematism. This warns predators to stay away, as they associate the skunk's colors with the unpleasant experience of being sprayed.

Question 4

Adult monarch butterflies contain glycosides that are toxic to predators.The glycosides originate from

Accepted Answer

The glycosides in adult monarch butterflies originate from the milkweed plants that the caterpillars eat. As caterpillars, monarchs consume milkweed plants that produce toxic compounds called cardenolides. These compounds are stored in the caterpillar's body and remain toxic to predators even after metamorphosis, when the caterpillar becomes an adult butterfly.

Question 5

Which feature is not an adaptation usually associated with predators?

Accepted Answer

Protective body surface is not usually associated with predators. Instead, they often have adaptations that help them catch and kill prey, such as strength, swiftness, large size, and well-developed senses.

Question 6

Many species of algae, seaweed, and sea grasses live on and around coral reefs.Herbivores, including most fish, sea urchins, and gastropods (snails and sea slugs), graze on them.In this environment, are herbivores more likely to be generalists or specialists?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Many species of algae, seaweed, and sea...

Question 7

Which method of prey defense is an example of mimicry?

Accepted Answer

Mimicry involves one organism resembling another to deceive predators or prey. The spicebush caterpillar mimics a snake's appearance to scare away predators, making it an example of mimicry.

Question 8

Bombardier beetles defend themselves by means of

Accepted Answer

Bombardier beetles defend themselves by producing and spraying hot, noxious chemicals from their bodies as a defense mechanism against predators.

Question 9

Which prey animal is using a morphological form of defense against predators?

Accepted Answer

The katydid that looks like a dead leaf is using a morphological form of defense called camouflage. It blends in with its surroundings to avoid being detected by predators. The other options are examples of chemical defense (toxic skin), behavioral defense (remaining together in herds), and a combination of behavioral and morphological defense (playing dead and shooting ink).

Question 10

Eastern tent caterpillars are social nesters that spin weblike nests, or tents, to which they keep adding layers as they molt and grow.The caterpillars leave the tent several times each day to feed on the leaves of their host tree.Many predators attack caterpillars feeding outside the tent.Which caterpillar behavior would be least advantageous in minimizing predation while the caterpillars are feeding?

Accepted Answer

Feeding at the same time each day makes the caterpillars predictable, allowing predators to anticipate when they will be outside the tent, increasing the risk of predation.

Question 11

The opposite of crypsis is

Accepted Answer

Crypsis refers to the ability of an organism to blend in with its surroundings for protection. Therefore, the opposite of crypsis would be a trait or behavior that makes an organism more noticeable or easily detected. Warning coloration is a clear example of this, as it is a strategy by which an animal advertises its toxicity or unpalatability through bold coloration. Mutualism, commensalism, and character displacement do not necessarily imply an absence of crypsis or camouflage. Antagonism may involve conspicuous behavior, but it is too general and inclusive a term to be the best opposite of crypsis.

Question 12

If a predator species were incapable of learning, which of the following would be the least adaptive for its prey?

Accepted Answer

Warning coloration is least adaptive if predators cannot learn, as it relies on predators learning to associate the coloration with a negative experience.

Question 13

A newly discovered frog species secretes toxic chemicals.Compared with closely related species without chemical defenses, members of this new frog species will most likely

Accepted Answer

Bright colors in animals, especially in amphibians like frogs, often serve as a warning to predators about the toxicity of the animal. This phenomenon is known as aposematism. The bright colors effectively communicate to potential predators that the frog is toxic and not worth the risk of eating.

Question 14

Which situation can be considered an example of an abiotic factor acting as an agent of natural selection?

Accepted Answer

Abiotic factors are non-living environmental factors. In this case, the intensely cold temperatures are an abiotic factor influencing the survival of polar bears with thicker coats.

Question 15

American toads are prey for a number of vertebrate predators.The toads themselves also prey on a variety of insects.Which characteristic most benefits toads in their role as potential prey, rather than as potential predators?

Accepted Answer

The secretion of toxic chemicals through their skin is a defense mechanism that deters predators, making it a beneficial characteristic for toads in their role as potential prey. This does not directly benefit their predatory capabilities.

Question 16

Three species of snails that are toxic to their bird predators have evolved similar patterns of coloration that help notify the birds of their poisonous nature.This phenomenon is known as

Accepted Answer

Müllerian mimicry occurs when multiple species with similar means of defense evolve similar warning signals or color patterns. In this case, the three toxic snail species have evolved similar coloration to warn their predators of their toxic nature.

Question 17

Some nontoxic female swallowtail butterflies resemble other butterfly species that are toxic.This phenomenon is known as

Accepted Answer

The phenomenon where a nontoxic species resembles a toxic species to protect itself from predators is known as Batesian mimicry.

Question 18

Eastern tent caterpillars are social nesters that spin weblike nests, or tents, to which they keep adding layers as they molt and grow.The caterpillars leave the tent several times each day to feed on the leaves of their host tree.The large, conspicuous caterpillar tents attract some predators and provide protection from others.Based on features of the tents, which animal would be most able to attack caterpillars inside their tents?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Eastern tent caterpillars are social nesters that...

Question 19

Hyenas can obtain as much as three-fourths of their prey by hunting, but they also scavenge the kills of other carnivores.A group of hyenas can displace any carnivore except lions from a kill.Which characteristic would be most useful to hyenas in both hunting their own prey and scavenging kills from other predators?

Accepted Answer

Being adept at teamwork would be most useful to hyenas in both hunting their own prey and scavenging kills from other predators. Hyenas are known for their ability to work together and coordinate their efforts when hunting or scavenging. This allows them to take down larger prey than they could individually and also helps them to intimidate other predators away from kills. While the other options (territoriality, eyesight, speed/stamina, and ability to smell carrion) may also be helpful in certain situations, teamwork is the most important for hyenas in both hunting and scavenging.

Question 20

Stinging bees, stinging wasps, and nonstinging hover flies all have black-and-yellow striped abdomens.Which type(s) of mimicry are these three types of insects expressing?

Accepted Answer

Müllerian mimicry involves two or more unpalatable or harmful species that resemble each other, which reinforces their avoidance by predators. In this case, both bees and wasps, which can sting, are Müllerian mimics. Batesian mimicry, on the other hand, involves a harmless species (the mimic) resembling a harmful or unpalatable species (the model) to avoid predation. The nonstinging hover flies, which mimic the appearance of stinging bees and wasps but cannot sting, are Batesian mimics.

Quiz 55: Species Interactions