Biology (Raven), 10th Edition

Chapter 56: Community Ecology

Post-Test

1
Which of the following statements provides evidence that supports the individualistic concept of a community - that change does not always occur synchronously between all species in a community?
A)The abundance of species varies independently along a geographical gradient.
B)Observations from the fossil record show a different species composition in the past in the same place.
C)There are no abrupt transitions between communities.
D)All statements provide supporting evidence.
E)No choice is correct.
2
Two species of bird found on two different islands in an archipelago have identically-sized beaks and eat similar seeds. What would you predict about the evolution of beak size if you transplanted these two species to a new island that was uninhabited by similar birds?
A)There would be no change in the beaks of either species.
B)The beak size of one of the species would change, becoming either larger or smaller on average.
C)One of the species would go extinct.
D)The beak sizes of both species would diverge from each other and from their original sizes.
E)The beak sizes of both species would converge together.
3
Which of the following statements are NOT true regarding Batesian mimicry?
A)The predators of the mimics rely on visual cues.
B)There is growing evidence that predators of mimics rely on olfactory cues.
C)Among caterpillars and butterflies, the caterpillars of mimics have a far less restricted plant diet than the animals they mimic.
D)Batesian mimicry is very rare.
E)None of the statements are NOT true.
4
Select the statement that is NOT true concerning keystone species.
A)Keystone species prevent one species from outcompeting others.
B)Keystone species make new habitats.
C)Alligators are a keystone species.
D)Sea stars are a keystone species.
E)No statement is NOT true.
5
Disturbance of communities is thought to increase species diversity? Why?
A)It may prevent the final stage of succession from being reached.
B)Patches of habitat will exist at different successional stages with great species diversity.
C)Communities experiencing moderate amounts of disturbance will have higher levels of species richness than communities experiencing either little or greater amounts of disturbance.
D)Ecologists now realize that disturbance is far more common than formerly thought.
E)All statements are correct.
6
Traditionally ecologists thought that biological communities were stable. To what source was the stability attributed?
A)infrequent disturbances
B)facilitation
C)inhibition
D)interspecific competition
E)No choice is correct.
7
The ecological niche of an organism is the total of all the ways it uses the resources of its environment. Why are species sometimes unable to occupy their entire niche?
A)The species has not yet reached an equilibrium state.
B)The presence of a predator.
C)Because of interaction with other species.
D)More than one choice is correct.
E)No choice is correct.
8
In general, will selection be stronger on the prey to evolve defenses or on the predators to evolve mechanisms to counter these defenses?
A)on the prey
B)on the predator
C)on both equally
D)impossible to make a general prediction
E)For animal prey and predator, there is more pressure on the prey to evolve defenses. The opposite obtains for herbivores and plants.
9
What interaction characterizes commensalism?
A)Both species benefit equally.
B)One species benefits while the other is harmed.
C)Both species are harmed.
D)One species benefits while the other is not affected either positively or negatively.
E)Commensalism does not refer to species interactions.
10
Why does ecological succession occur?
A)The environment is always changing.
B)It results from competition between species.
C)It takes a long time to reach an equilibrium state.
D)Species alter their habitat and the resources available in ways that favour other species.
E)All choices are correct.
11
With which of the following is character displacement associated?
A)sympatric species
B)allopatric species
C)large population versus small population
D)thermal habitats
E)a phenomenon found in birds only
12
Select the correct comment concerning the realized niche of a species.
A)It's the same size as the fundamental niche.
B)It's smaller than the fundamental niche.
C)It's larger than the fundamental niche.
D)It is the entire niche that a species is capable of using.
E)No choice is correct.
13
Who formulated the principle of competitive exclusion?
A)Connell
B)Darwin
C)MacArthur
D)Gause
E)Park
14
Select the correct statement concerning resource partitioning.
A)It increases interspecific competition.
B)It decreases interspecific competition.
C)It has never been documented in the wild.
D)It affects organisms with very similar traits.
E)It occurs when resources are unlimited.
15
Which of the following does NOT help a prey species avoid detection by a predator?
A)Mullerian mimicry
B)secondary chemical compounds
C)warning coloration
D)cryptic coloration
E)Batesian mimicry
16
True or false: Parasites are known to manipulate their host's behavior.
A)true
B)false
17
In Kenya several species of ants prune branches of acacia trees. What is the correct term for the interaction between ant and tree?
A)commensalism
B)parasitism
C)mutualism
D)coevolution
E)No choice is correct.
18
In a study involving desert rodents and ants that eat seeds, it was found that when the rodents were experimentally removed, the ant population first rose then fell. Why?
A)mutualism
B)parasitism
C)indirect effects
D)commensalism
E)No choice is correct.
19
Select the statement concerning symbiosis that is NOT true.
A)it involves two or more organisms.
B)Some symbiotic relationships carry the potential for coevolution.
C)Lichens are an example of symbiosis.
D)Mycorrhizae are an example of symbiosis.
E)Leaf - cutter ants and fungi are an example of symbiosis.
20
Which statement about succession is NOT correct?
A)Primary succession occurs on bare lifeless substrates.
B)Secondary succession occurs where an existing community has been disturbed.
C)In succession, communities change from complex to simple.
D)Succession produces a change in species composition.
E)All choices are correct statements.
21
Which is NOT a dynamic concept of critical importance in the process of succession?
A)facilitation
B)distribution
C)inhibition
D)establishment
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