Question 1

Which of the following best describes the ecological niche of a species?

Accepted Answer

The sum of a species' use of biotic and abiotic resources in its environment.

Question 2

In a grassland ecosystem, two species of antelope compete for the same type of grass. What type of interspecific interaction is this, and what is the expected outcome if one species is a more efficient forager?

Accepted Answer

Competition; the less efficient species may be excluded from the niche (competitive exclusion principle).

Question 3

Which of the following is an example of Batesian mimicry?

Accepted Answer

A harmless moth that resembles a wasp.

Question 4

A clownfish lives among the tentacles of a sea anemone, gaining protection from predators, while the anemone receives food scraps from the fish. What type of symbiotic relationship is this?

Accepted Answer

Mutualism (+/+)

Question 5

Which adaptation is most likely to be found in an ambush predator?

Accepted Answer

Cryptic coloration to blend into the environment.

Question 6

A tick feeds on the blood of a mammal, causing harm to the host but benefiting itself. What type of interaction is this?

Accepted Answer

Parasitism (+/-)

Question 7

Which of the following is an example of a plant adaptation to herbivory?

Accepted Answer

Production of swainsonine toxin by locoweeds.

Question 8

If two unpalatable butterfly species evolve to look similar, what is this an example of?

Accepted Answer

Müllerian mimicry

Question 9

Which of the following equations best represents the competitive exclusion principle?

Accepted Answer

$$N_1(t+1$$) = $$N_1(t$$) + $$r_1$$ $$N_1(t$$) \left(1 - \frac{$$N_1(t$$) + \alpha_{12} $$N_2(t$$)}{$$K_1$$}\right)$$

Question 10

A manatee eats underwater plants but does not harm the plants' ability to reproduce. What type of interaction is this?

Accepted Answer

Herbivory (+/-)

Question 11

Which of the following is NOT a typical prey adaptation to avoid predation?

Accepted Answer

Producing infrared receptors.

Question 12

A harmless king snake mimics the coloration of a venomous coral snake. What is the evolutionary advantage of this adaptation?

Accepted Answer

Predators avoid the king snake, mistaking it for the venomous coral snake.

Question 13

Which of the following best describes commensalism?

Accepted Answer

One species benefits, the other is unaffected (+/0).

Question 14

A plant produces a chemical that makes its leaves taste bitter to most herbivores. What is the most likely evolutionary outcome for herbivores in this environment?

Accepted Answer

Herbivores that can tolerate or detoxify the chemical will have a selective advantage.

Question 15

Which of the following is an example of an obligate mutualism?

Accepted Answer

Acacia trees and ants, where ants live inside the tree and defend it from herbivores.

Question 16

Which of the following best describes the interaction between a tapeworm and its host?

Accepted Answer

Parasitism (+/-)

Question 17

A population of prairie dogs uses alarm calls to warn others of predators. What type of adaptation is this?

Accepted Answer

Behavioral defense against predation.

Question 18

Which of the following is a real-world example of commensalism?

Accepted Answer

Barnacles attaching to whales, where barnacles benefit and whales are unaffected.

Question 19

Which of the following equations could be used to model the effect of predation on prey population size?

Accepted Answer

$$\frac{dN}{dt} = rN - aNP$$

Question 20

Which of the following is an example of a facultative mutualism?

Accepted Answer

Humans and honeyguides, where both can survive independently but benefit from cooperation.

Community Ecology: Interactions and Adaptations

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