Two species of mice coexist in a community at approximately equal population sizes.A top predator is removed from this community.Quickly, the population size of mouse species A increases, while that of mouse species B decreases.What does this suggest about the species interactions in this community?
A) Mouse species A has a strong negative effect on mouse species B.
B) Mouse species A has a strong positive effect on mouse species B.
C) Mouse species B has a strong negative effect on mouse species A.
D) The top predator has a strong positive effect on mouse species A.
E) The top predator has a strong positive effect on mouse species B.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The increase in population size of mouse species A and the decrease in population size of mouse species B after the removal of a top predator suggest that mouse species A was more competitively dominant or less affected by the predator, leading to a negative effect on mouse species B either through increased competition or by releasing mouse species A from predation pressure, allowing it to outcompete or negatively impact mouse species B.

Two Species of Mice Coexist in a Community at Approximately