Ecology question - will rate! 1.) Based on these data, what is the profitability

Question

Ecology question - will rate!

1.) Based on these data, what is the profitability of stoneflies?

2.) Assume that early in the summer, the only prey available are stoneflies and caddisflies. If the search time for its preferred prey (the more profitable stonefly) is too long, the house martin should include both stoneflies and caddisflies in its diet. What is the value of this critical search time for stoneflies? (Hint: be careful to use values from the correct rows and columns of the table in your calculation!)

3.) Later in the season, stoneflies have disappeared and horse martins must choose between caddisflies and mayflies. This means that the critical search time for the preferred (more profitable) prey is 2 seconds. Assuming birds forage optimally, which prey items should a house martin eat?
a. caddisflies only
b. mayflies only
c. both caddisflies and mayflies
d. there is not enough information to answer the question

Energy Handing Prey Search time, S species content E time, h (cal) 0.9 Stonefly Caddisfly 0.4 Mayfly 0.2 House martins are superb flyers that feed on a variety of flying insects, including moths and mayflies. Above are hypothetical data showing the energy content, Ei, handling time, hi, and search time, Si, associated with each insect type.

Explanation / Answer

1. profatibility of stonefly= E/h

=0.9/3=0.3

2.critical search time for stoneflies=[(E1*h2)/E2]-h1

where E1=0.9 E2=0.4 h1=3 h2=2

critical search time= [(0.9*2)/0.4]-3

=1.5 seconds

3. it is not mentioned which is the preferred prey.

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