Question 1

The tiger beetle Cicindela longilabris inhabits higher latitudes and elevations than other North American tiger beetles; Schultz, Quinlan, and Hadley concluded that all of the following factors contributed to these cooler environmental preferences except

Accepted Answer

Increased waterproofing is not related to cooler environmental preferences but rather to water retention and protection against desiccation.

Question 2

Which statement about organisms' "niches" is false?

Accepted Answer

The statement E is false because in reality, two species with identical niches cannot coexist indefinitely due to competitive exclusion, which makes it difficult to maintain them in a mixed culture. This principle suggests that two species competing for the exact same resources cannot stably coexist.

Question 3

"Rarity II" can be described as

Accepted Answer

C

Question 4

In a ________ distribution, individuals have a much higher probability of being found in some areas than in others.

Accepted Answer

In a clumped distribution, individuals are clustered together in patches, making some areas more heavily populated than others. This is opposed to uniform distribution where individuals are evenly spaced or randomly distributed.

Question 5

"Rarity I" can be described as

Accepted Answer

The answer of "Rarity I" can be described as
...

Question 6

Which of the following are characteristics of a population?

Accepted Answer

All of the choices are correct. A population is defined as a group of individuals of the same species living in the same area at the same time. Therefore, it must have a single species (A), an age distribution (B), a birth rate (C), and an emigration rate (D) (along with other characteristics such as a death rate, immigration rate, etc.).

Question 7

Caughley's research on the distribution of three different species of Australian kangaroos (Macropus giganteus, M. fuliginosus, and M. rufus) suggests the

Accepted Answer

Caughley's research suggests that the physical environment limits the distribution of the kangaroos. This includes factors such as vegetation, soil type, and water availability.

Question 8

Ehleringer and Clark found that variation in leaf pubescence among plants of the genus Encelia appears to correspond to the distribution of these species along a ________ gradient from the California coast eastward.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Ehleringer and Clark found that variation in...

Question 9

The rarest animal is the ________ and the rarest plant is the ________.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The rarest animal is the ________ and...

Question 10

In order to determine whether a species is common or rare, ecologists use all of the following criteria except

Accepted Answer

The criteria used by ecologists to determine whether a species is common or rare are based on its distribution and population size, including its geographical range, habitat tolerance, and local population size. Evolutionary existence is not a relevant factor in determining whether a species is common or rare.

Question 11

Donald Phillips and James MacMahon showed that the distribution pattern of creosote bush, Larrea tridentata, changes in the following sequence as they grow

Accepted Answer

As creosote bushes grow, they initially form clumped distributions due to limited seed dispersal and favorable microhabitats. As they mature, competition leads to a more random distribution, and eventually, they exhibit a regular distribution due to competition for resources.

Question 12

Whittaker's research on North American tree distribution examined ________ gradients and concluded that the tree distribution was ________.

Accepted Answer

Whittaker's research on North American tree distribution primarily focused on moisture gradients and concluded that the tree distribution was clumped, indicating that trees tend to group together in areas with similar moisture conditions.

Question 13

Connell studied the distribution of barnacles Chthamalus stellatus and Balanus balaoides along the coast of Scotland and indicated that, along with the physiology of each barnacle, ________ also played a large role in their distribution pattern.

Accepted Answer

Connell's study highlighted the significant role of competition between the two barnacle species in determining their distribution patterns along the Scottish coast. This competition for space and resources directly influenced where each species could thrive.

Question 14

Which of the following word pairs are mismatched?

Accepted Answer

Random distribution is typically associated with the absence of strong interactions, not aggressive interactions.

Question 15

The ________ defines the physical conditions under which a species might live, in the absence of interaction with other species.

Accepted Answer

The fundamental niche defines the physical conditions under which a species might live, in the absence of interaction with other species. It represents the full range of environmental conditions that a species could potentially occupy.

Question 16

________ is/are defined as a group of potentially breeding organisms within a species in a given space and time.

Accepted Answer

Populations are defined as a group of potentially breeding organisms within a species in a given space and time. Density refers to the number of individuals within a specific area, while distribution refers to the pattern of spacing among individuals. Abundance refers to the overall number of individuals in a population. Community refers to all the different populations of living organisms interacting in a particular environment.

Question 17

Research on North American bird populations have indicated that populations are ________, distributed on a ________ scale.

Accepted Answer

Research on North American bird populations has shown that these populations tend to be clumped rather than evenly distributed or random, and these patterns occur on a large geographical scale. This clumping can be due to various factors such as availability of resources, habitat conditions, and social behaviors that lead to birds grouping in certain areas.

Question 18

A group of individuals of a single species inhabiting a specific area is called a ________.

Accepted Answer

A population refers to a group of individuals of the same species that live in the same geographical area and are capable of interbreeding. Communities refer to multiple interacting populations of different species in the same geographical area. Biomes are large geographical areas with distinct plant and animal communities. Ecosystems are systems comprising of living organisms and their environment, including their interactions with one another. Tribes refer to a social group or community of people with shared customs and traditions.

Question 19

Density is defined as

Accepted Answer

Density is defined as the number of individuals per unit area.

Question 20

"Extreme Rarity" can be described as

Accepted Answer

Extreme rarity is characterized by restricted range, narrow habitat tolerances, and small local populations. This means that the species is only found in a limited area, can only survive in specific environmental conditions, and there are only a few individuals present in the area. These factors make the species highly vulnerable to extinction and in need of conservation efforts.

Quiz 9: Population Distribution and Abundance