Multiple Choice
The flower fly resembles a honeybee, but the flower fly has no stinger. This is an example of what natural phenomenon?
51. Community Ecology
Introduction to Community Interactions
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A species of malaria-carrying mosquito lives in a forest in which two species of monkeys, A and B, coexist. Species A is immune to malaria, but species B is not. The malaria-carrying mosquito is the chief food for a particular kind of bird in the forest. If all these birds were suddenly eliminated by hunters, which of the following would be an immediately observable consequence?
A
Increased mortality (death rate) in monkey species A
B
Increased mortality in the malaria-carrying mosquitoes
C
Emergence of malaria-resistant strains in monkey species B
D
Emergence of malaria-sensitive strains in monkey species A
E
Increased mortality in monkey species B
Verified step by step guidance1
Identify the key relationships in the ecosystem: The malaria-carrying mosquito is a food source for a particular bird, and it transmits malaria to monkey species B, which is not immune.
Consider the role of the birds: The birds help control the mosquito population by preying on them. If the birds are eliminated, the mosquito population is likely to increase due to the lack of predation.
Analyze the impact on monkey species A and B: Since species A is immune to malaria, an increase in mosquitoes will not affect their mortality. However, species B is not immune, so an increase in mosquitoes will likely lead to more malaria transmission and higher mortality in species B.
Evaluate the other options: Increased mortality in mosquitoes is unlikely because their predators (birds) are removed. Emergence of malaria-resistant strains in species B or sensitive strains in species A would take time and are not immediate consequences.
Conclude that the immediate observable consequence of removing the birds is an increased mortality rate in monkey species B due to higher exposure to malaria-carrying mosquitoes.
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