Question 1

Which of the following is the most accepted hypothesis as to why invasive species take over communities into which they have been introduced?

Accepted Answer

A)  Invasive species are more aggressive than native species in competing for the limited resources of the environment. 
B)  Invasive species are not held in check by the predators and agents of disease that have always been in place for the native species. 
C)  Humans carefully select which species will outcompete nuisance native species. 
D)  Invasive species have a higher reproductive potential than native species. 
E)  Invasive species come from geographically isolated regions, so when they are introduced to regions where there is more competition, they thrive. 
A)  Invasive species are more aggressive than native species in competing for the limited resources of the environment. 
B)  Invasive species are not held in check by the predators and agents of disease that have always been in place for the native species. 
C)  Humans carefully select which species will outcompete nuisance native species. 
D)  Invasive species have a higher reproductive potential than native species. 
E)  Invasive species come from geographically isolated regions, so when they are introduced to regions where there is more competition, they thrive.

Question 2

Of the following zoonotic diseases, which is most likely to be studied by a community ecologist?

Accepted Answer

A)  mad cow disease 
B)  hantavirus 
C)  AIDS 
D)  avian flu 
E)  trichinosis 
A)  mad cow disease 
B)  hantavirus 
C)  AIDS 
D)  avian flu 
E)  trichinosis

Question 3

Use the following diagram of a hypothetical food web to answer the following questions. The arrows represent the transfer of food energy between the various trophic levels.
   
Figure 54.3
-Which letter represents an organism that could be a carnivore?

Accepted Answer

A)  A 
B)  B 
C)  C 
D)  D 
E)  E 
A)  A 
B)  B 
C)  C 
D)  D 
E)  E

Question 4

Which of the following best describes the consequences of white-band disease in Caribbean coral reefs?

Accepted Answer

A)  Staghorn coral has been decimated by the pathogen, and Elkhorn coral has taken its place. 
B)  Key habitat for lobsters, snappers, and other reef fishes has improved. 
C)  Algal species take the place of the dead coral, and the fish community is dominated by herbivores. 
D)  Algal species take over and the overall reef diversity increases due to increases in primary productivity. 
E)  Other coral species take the place of the affected Staghorn and Elkhorn species. 
A)  Staghorn coral has been decimated by the pathogen, and Elkhorn coral has taken its place. 
B)  Key habitat for lobsters, snappers, and other reef fishes has improved. 
C)  Algal species take the place of the dead coral, and the fish community is dominated by herbivores. 
D)  Algal species take over and the overall reef diversity increases due to increases in primary productivity. 
E)  Other coral species take the place of the affected Staghorn and Elkhorn species.

Question 5

Use the following diagram of a hypothetical food web to answer the following questions. The arrows represent the transfer of food energy between the various trophic levels.
   
Figure 54.3
-Which letter represents an organism that could be a primary consumer?

Accepted Answer

A)  A 
B)  B 
C)  C 
D)  D 
E)  E 
A)  A 
B)  B 
C)  C 
D)  D 
E)  E

Question 6

Based on the intermediate disturbance hypothesis, a community's species diversity is increased by

Accepted Answer

A)  frequent massive disturbance. 
B)  stable conditions with no disturbance. 
C)  moderate levels of disturbance. 
D)  human intervention to eliminate disturbance. 
E)  intensive disturbance by humans. 
A)  frequent massive disturbance. 
B)  stable conditions with no disturbance. 
C)  moderate levels of disturbance. 
D)  human intervention to eliminate disturbance. 
E)  intensive disturbance by humans.

Question 7

Which of the following is an example of Müllerian mimicry?

Accepted Answer

A)  two species of unpalatable butterfly that have the same color pattern 
B)  a day-flying hawkmoth that looks like a wasp 
C)  a chameleon that changes its color to look like a dead leaf 
D)  two species of rattlesnakes that both rattle their tails 
E)  two species of moths with wing spots that look like owl's eyes 
A)  two species of unpalatable butterfly that have the same color pattern 
B)  a day-flying hawkmoth that looks like a wasp 
C)  a chameleon that changes its color to look like a dead leaf 
D)  two species of rattlesnakes that both rattle their tails 
E)  two species of moths with wing spots that look like owl's eyes

Question 8

The symbols +, -, and o are to be used to show the results of interactions between individuals and groups of individuals in the examples that follow. The symbol + denotes a positive interaction, - denotes a negative interaction, and o denotes where individuals are not affected by interacting. The first symbol refers to the first organism mentioned.
-What interactions exist between the cattle egret and grazing cattle?

Accepted Answer

A)  +/+ 
B)  +/o 
C)  +/- 
D)  o/o 
E)  -/- 
A)  +/+ 
B)  +/o 
C)  +/- 
D)  o/o 
E)  -/-

Question 9

Which statement best describes the evolutionary significance of mutualism?

Accepted Answer

A)  Mutualism offers more biodiversity to a community. 
B)  Individuals partaking in a mutualistic relationship are more resistant to parasites. 
C)  Interaction increases the survival and reproductive rates of mutualistic species. 
D)  Mutualistic interaction lessens competition in communities where it is present. 
E)  Mutualistic relationships allow organisms to synthesize and use energy more efficiently. 
A)  Mutualism offers more biodiversity to a community. 
B)  Individuals partaking in a mutualistic relationship are more resistant to parasites. 
C)  Interaction increases the survival and reproductive rates of mutualistic species. 
D)  Mutualistic interaction lessens competition in communities where it is present. 
E)  Mutualistic relationships allow organisms to synthesize and use energy more efficiently.

Question 10

During the course of the formation of a parasite/host relationship, a critical first step in this evolution would be

Accepted Answer

A)  changing the behavior of the host or intermediate host. 
B)  developing asexual reproduction. 
C)  deriving nourishment without killing the host. 
D)  starting as an ectoparasite and then later becoming an endoparasite. 
E)  utilizing heterotropic nutrition during infection and autotrophic nutrition during dormancy. 
A)  changing the behavior of the host or intermediate host. 
B)  developing asexual reproduction. 
C)  deriving nourishment without killing the host. 
D)  starting as an ectoparasite and then later becoming an endoparasite. 
E)  utilizing heterotropic nutrition during infection and autotrophic nutrition during dormancy.

Question 11

The symbols +, -, and o are to be used to show the results of interactions between individuals and groups of individuals in the examples that follow. The symbol + denotes a positive interaction, - denotes a negative interaction, and o denotes where individuals are not affected by interacting. The first symbol refers to the first organism mentioned.
-What interactions exist between a tick on a dog and the dog?

Accepted Answer

A)  +/+ 
B)  +/o 
C)  +/- 
D)  o/o 
E)  -/- 
A)  +/+ 
B)  +/o 
C)  +/- 
D)  o/o 
E)  -/-

Question 12

Why do moderate levels of disturbance result in an increase in community diversity?

Accepted Answer

A)  Habitats are opened up for less competitive species. 
B)  Competitively dominant species infrequently exclude less competitive species after a moderate disturbance. 
C)  The environmental conditions become optimal. 
D)  The resulting uniform habitat supports stability, which in turn supports diversity. 
E)  Less-competitive species evolve strategies to compete with dominant species. 
A)  Habitats are opened up for less competitive species. 
B)  Competitively dominant species infrequently exclude less competitive species after a moderate disturbance. 
C)  The environmental conditions become optimal. 
D)  The resulting uniform habitat supports stability, which in turn supports diversity. 
E)  Less-competitive species evolve strategies to compete with dominant species.

Question 13

Which of the following studies would a community ecologist undertake to learn about competitive interactions?

Accepted Answer

A)  selectivity of nest sites among cavity-nesting songbirds 
B)  the grass species preferred by grazing pronghorn antelope and bison 
C)  nitrate and phosphate uptake by various hardwood forest tree species 
D)  stomach analysis of brown trout and brook trout in streams where they coexist 
E)  selectivity of nest sites among cavity-nesting songbirds, the grass species preferred by grazing pronghorn antelope and bison, nitrate and phosphate uptake by various hardwood forest tree species, and stomach analysis of brown trout and brook trout in streams where they coexist 
A)  selectivity of nest sites among cavity-nesting songbirds 
B)  the grass species preferred by grazing pronghorn antelope and bison 
C)  nitrate and phosphate uptake by various hardwood forest tree species 
D)  stomach analysis of brown trout and brook trout in streams where they coexist 
E)  selectivity of nest sites among cavity-nesting songbirds, the grass species preferred by grazing pronghorn antelope and bison, nitrate and phosphate uptake by various hardwood forest tree species, and stomach analysis of brown trout and brook trout in streams where they coexist

Question 14

Keystone predators can maintain species diversity in a community if they

Accepted Answer

A)  competitively exclude other predators. 
B)  prey on the community's dominant species. 
C)  allow immigration of other predators. 
D)  reduce the number of disruptions in the community. 
E)  prey only on the least abundant species in the community. 
A)  competitively exclude other predators. 
B)  prey on the community's dominant species. 
C)  allow immigration of other predators. 
D)  reduce the number of disruptions in the community. 
E)  prey only on the least abundant species in the community.

Question 15

The next series of questions presumes that you have at least once visited and have some knowledge of the fast-food restaurant McDonald's. Use your knowledge of McDonald's and your understanding of community ecology to answer the following questions about an ecological community, McDonaldland.
-According to the McDonaldland scenario, which of the following would best define an ecological community?

Accepted Answer

A)  all of the sandwiches sold at McDonaldland 
B)  the entire menu at McDonaldland 
C)  all of the fast-food restaurants in the United States 
D)  the condiments served at McDonaldland 
E)  the breakfast menu at McDonaldland 
A)  all of the sandwiches sold at McDonaldland 
B)  the entire menu at McDonaldland 
C)  all of the fast-food restaurants in the United States 
D)  the condiments served at McDonaldland 
E)  the breakfast menu at McDonaldland

Question 16

In a particular case of secondary succession, three species of wild grass all invaded a field. By the second season, a single species dominated the field. A possible factor in this secondary succession was

Accepted Answer

A)  equilibrium. 
B)  facilitation. 
C)  immigration. 
D)  inhibition. 
E)  parasitism. 
A)  equilibrium. 
B)  facilitation. 
C)  immigration. 
D)  inhibition. 
E)  parasitism.

Question 17

Species richness increases

Accepted Answer

A)  as we increase in altitude in equatorial mountains. 
B)  as we travel southward from the North Pole. 
C)  on islands as distance from the mainland increases. 
D)  as depth increases in aquatic communities. 
E)  as community size decreases. 
A)  as we increase in altitude in equatorial mountains. 
B)  as we travel southward from the North Pole. 
C)  on islands as distance from the mainland increases. 
D)  as depth increases in aquatic communities. 
E)  as community size decreases.

Question 18

A community's actual evapotranspiration is a reflection of

Accepted Answer

A)  solar radiation, temperature, and water availability. 
B)  the number of plants and how much moisture they lose. 
C)  the depth of the water table. 
D)  wind speed and the frequency of wind gusts. 
E)  plant biomass and plant water content. 
A)  solar radiation, temperature, and water availability. 
B)  the number of plants and how much moisture they lose. 
C)  the depth of the water table. 
D)  wind speed and the frequency of wind gusts. 
E)  plant biomass and plant water content.

Question 19

Which term do ecologists use to describe the ability of a community either to resist change or to recover to its original state after change?

Accepted Answer

A)  stability 
B)  succession 
C)  partitioning 
D)  productivity 
E)  competitive exclusion 
A)  stability 
B)  succession 
C)  partitioning 
D)  productivity 
E)  competitive exclusion

Question 20

Which of the following terms is used by ecologists to describe the community interaction where one organism makes the environment more suitable for another organism?

Accepted Answer

A)  parasitism 
B)  mutualism 
C)  inhibition 
D)  facilitation 
E)  commensalism 
A)  parasitism 
B)  mutualism 
C)  inhibition 
D)  facilitation 
E)  commensalism

Exam 54: Community Ecology

Which of the following is the most accepted hypothesis as to why invasive species take over communities into which they have been introduced?

Of the following zoonotic diseases, which is most likely to be studied by a community ecologist?

Use the following diagram of a hypothetical food web to answer the following questions. The arrows represent the transfer of food energy between the various trophic levels. Figure 54.3 -Which letter represents an organism that could be a carnivore?

Which of the following best describes the consequences of white-band disease in Caribbean coral reefs?

Use the following diagram of a hypothetical food web to answer the following questions. The arrows represent the transfer of food energy between the various trophic levels. Figure 54.3 -Which letter represents an organism that could be a primary consumer?

Based on the intermediate disturbance hypothesis, a community's species diversity is increased by

Which of the following is an example of Müllerian mimicry?

Which statement best describes the evolutionary significance of mutualism?

During the course of the formation of a parasite/host relationship, a critical first step in this evolution would be

Why do moderate levels of disturbance result in an increase in community diversity?

Which of the following studies would a community ecologist undertake to learn about competitive interactions?

Keystone predators can maintain species diversity in a community if they

In a particular case of secondary succession, three species of wild grass all invaded a field. By the second season, a single species dominated the field. A possible factor in this secondary succession was

Species richness increases

A community's actual evapotranspiration is a reflection of

Which term do ecologists use to describe the ability of a community either to resist change or to recover to its original state after change?

Which of the following terms is used by ecologists to describe the community interaction where one organism makes the environment more suitable for another organism?

Introduction: Themes in the Study of Life

The Chemical Context of Life

Water and Life

Carbon and the Molecular Diversity of Life

The Structure and Function of Large Biological Molecules

A Tour of the Cell

Membrane Structure and Function

An Introduction to Metabolism

Cellular Respiration and Fermentation

Photosynthesis

Cell Communication

The Cell Cycle

Meiosis and Sexual Life Cycles

Mendel and the Gene Idea

The Chromosomal Basis of Inheritance

The Molecular Basis of Inheritance

From Gene to Protein

Regulation of Gene Expression

Viruses

Biotechnology

Genomes and Their Evolution

Descent with Modification: A Darwinian View of Life

The Evolution of Populations

The Origin of Species

The History of Life on Earth

Phylogeny and the Tree of Life

Bacteria and Archaea

Protists

Plant Diversity I: How Plants Colonized Land

Plant Diversity II: The Evolution of Seed Plants

Fungi

An Overview of Animal Diversity

An Introduction to Invertebrates

The Origin and Evolution of Vertebrates

Plant Structure, Growth, and Development

Resource Acquisition and Transport in Vascular Plants

Soil and Plant Nutrition

Angiosperm Reproduction and Biotechnology

Plant Responses to Internal and External Signals

Basic Principles of Animal Form and Function

Animal Nutrition

Circulation and Gas Exchange

The Immune System

Osmoregulation and Excretion

Hormones and the Endocrine System

Animal Reproduction

Animal Development

Neurons, Synapses, and Signaling

Nervous Systems

Sensory and Motor Mechanisms

Animal Behavior

An Introduction to Ecology and the Biosphere

Population Ecology

Ecosystems and Restoration Ecology

Conservation Biology and Global Change

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