Many relatively large ectoparasites, such as leeches and mosquitoes, are only casually associated with their hosts; that is, they feed and then leave.However, whale lice spend their entire lives on one whale.A difference in _______ has most likely caused the evolution of this difference in ectoparasite life style.
A) size (lice are smaller than most other ectoparasites)
B) species (lice have different basic needs than other ectoparasites)
C) habitat (in the ocean, lice would likely be unable to find a new host)
D) host behavior (whales are unable to remove lice by grooming)
E) disease (lice are less likely to cause disease than other ectoparasites)

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

C) habitat (in the ocean, lice would likely be unable to find a new host) is the most likely reason for the evolution of the difference in ectoparasite lifestyle, as the vastness and nature of the ocean habitat make it challenging for whale lice to find new hosts compared to ectoparasites in more densely populated or accessible environments.

Many Relatively Large Ectoparasites, Such as Leeches and Mosquitoes, Are