Studies of rough-skinned newts have documented their ability to produce toxins in defense against a predator attack. The common garter snake, a predator of rough-skinned newts, exhibits a resistance to the toxin produced by the newt. In response, newts have been observed to produce increasingly potent toxins, which in turn results in selection for snakes with even greater resistance to the toxin. What phrase best describes this interaction between rough-skinned newts and garter snakes?
A) host-parasite coevolution
B) obligate mutualism
C) evolutionary arms race
D) diffuse coevolution

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The interaction between rough-skinned newts and garter snakes is best described as evolutionary arms race, where one species evolves a trait to outcompete or defend itself against the other, leading to selection pressure on the other to also evolve traits to counteract the first species' trait. In this case, the newts produce increasingly potent toxins, leading to selection for snakes with greater toxin resistance. This creates a back-and-forth pattern of evolution and adaptation, similar to an arms race.

Studies of Rough-Skinned Newts Have Documented Their Ability to Produce