Yellow-eyed salamanders have been cited as an example of Batesian mimicry; their orange body color and yellow eyes mimic the coloration of the toxic California newt. Although the salamanders are palatable, their mimicry of a nonpalatable species tends to prevent predators from attacking. In a follow-up study, Kuchta et al. observed the reaction of Western scrub jays (predators with toxic newt experience) when presented with both a yellow-eyed salamander and a closely related species after being presented with a toxic newt. What was significant about this study?
A) This follow-up study was a controlled experiment to determine if the yellow-eyed salamander has a reciprocal influence on the toxic California newt.
B) This follow-up study was used to determine the reaction from a predator when presented with two nontoxic species of salamanders.
C) This follow-up study was a field study to determine the reaction of a new predator to both the California newt and the yellow-eyed salamander.
D) This follow-up study was a controlled experiment that measured how a species can influence the selective processes operating on another species.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The study was a controlled experiment designed to measure how the presence of the yellow-eyed salamander influences the selective processes operating on the closely related, non-mimetic species. Specifically, the researchers wanted to test whether the yellow-eyed salamander's Batesian mimicry of the toxic newt led to increased selection pressure on the non-mimetic species to evolve mimicry as well. By presenting Western scrub jays with both the yellow-eyed salamander and the non-mimetic species after being presented with a toxic newt, the researchers were able to observe the birds' reactions and see if they showed an aversion to both species or only the toxic newt.

Yellow-Eyed Salamanders Have Been Cited as an Example of Batesian