Kangaroo rats are endemic to the deserts of the American southwest. In one regio
ID: 9445 • Letter: K
Question
Kangaroo rats are endemic to the deserts of the American southwest. In one region, two kangaroo rat species eat only seeds and are biologically extremely similar. The two species are found in adjacent habitats. Seeds are abundant in both habitats, but less nutritious than insects. If you were to double the amount of seeds across both habitats and add insects as potential food, which of the following outcomes would most likely result?A)One species will change its food preferences to eat insects and the two species will coexist across both habitats.
B) Because of the abundance and diversity of food available, both species will coexist across both habitats.
C) Both species will switch their diets to the more nutritious insects and one will exclude the other from both habitats.
D) No change will occur; the abundance and diversity of resources does not determine the ultimate outcome of competition if niches remain the same.
Explanation / Answer
IMO "B" would be the right answer. In the information given, it says that both species only eat seeds and that they are biologically similar. This tends to mean that both with make similar decisions when it comes to food. Also, if the amount of seeds is doubled, then they will have to reason to switch to insects even if they are present since they are already adapted to eating seeds. The other answer I thought might be correct is "D," this is because resources do NOT determine the ultimate outcome of competition if niches remain the same. But since the information says that they live in adjacent habitats, it would give the impression that everything is the same except for the "new" food abundance. If this is so, then "D" can be eliminated and "B" would be the right answer
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