Which of the following predator-prey pairs have exhibited coupled oscillation over long periods of time?
A) Lion and wildebeest
B) Sea lamprey and trout
C) Brown tree snake and birds
D) Lynx and snowshoe hare
E) Black footed ferret and prairie dog

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The lynx and snowshoe hare populations in the boreal forests of North America are a classic example of predator-prey dynamics exhibiting coupled oscillations. Their population sizes have been observed to fluctuate in a roughly 10-year cycle, with the lynx population (predator) lagging slightly behind the snowshoe hare population (prey). This relationship has been extensively studied and is often used to illustrate the concept of predator-prey interactions in ecological studies.

Which of the Following Predator-Prey Pairs Have Exhibited Coupled Oscillation