If an animal accidentally steps on a mound of fire ants,it will have hundreds of stinging ants crawling far up its leg almost instantaneously.The ant colony's quick response is most likely due to pheromones from
A) disturbed ants initiating learned group behavior.
B) the animal initiating imprinted "quick response" ant behavior.
C) disturbed ants initiating fixed behavior.
D) both the animal and ants initiating fixed behavior.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Disturbed ants initiating fixed behavior is the most likely explanation for the ant colony's quick response. Fire ants are known for their aggressive and territorial behavior, and they have a well-developed system of communication using pheromones. When ants are disturbed, they release alarm pheromones that signal the colony to attack. This triggers a fixed behavior response in the ants, causing them to swarm and sting in defense of their colony. The animal stepping on the ant mound is not likely to initiate any learned or imprinted behavior in the ants, so choices A and B can be eliminated. Choice D is also incorrect because the animal is not capable of initiating fixed behavior in the ants.

If an Animal Accidentally Steps on a Mound of Fire