In Huffaker's studies of an herbivorous mite and its mite predator, when predator and prey were in a heterogeneous environment,
A) prey and predator populations both increased for a while, but soon crashed and went extinct.
B) predators soon went extinct, but prey persisted.
C) predators and prey persisted, and maintained relatively stable population sizes.
D) predators and prey persisted and exhibited population cycles.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

In Huffaker's experiments, the introduction of environmental heterogeneity allowed both predator and prey populations to persist and exhibit population cycles, as the complexity provided refuges for the prey and allowed for a dynamic balance between the two populations.

In Huffaker's Studies of an Herbivorous Mite and Its Mite