Ecology Animal Ecology: Competition, predation, and cooperation by Devin Reese, PhD. Reading Quiz Teach with this 1. Which is NOT an example of a "Grinnellian" ecological niche? (beavers) riverwater, mud, sticks (orangutans) fruits, trees, rearing cage (marine snails) rocky shoreline, seaweed, seawater (redshanks) saltmarsh, mudflat, peregrine falcons 2. Indian gazelles are introduced to the Algerian desert where a similar gazelle species lives. What would the Competitive Exclusion Principle predict? Both species of gazelle will thrive in the shared desert niche. One species of gazelle will willingly find a new ecological niche. One species of gazelle will get pushed out of the ecological niche. Both species of gazelle will get pushed out of their desert niche. 3. A mainland fruit-eating bird is introduced to an island with more fruit-eating competitors. Which is the most likely scenario? Its realized niche would contract, while its fundamental niche would remain the same. Its realized niche would expand, while its fundamental niche would remain the same. Its realized niche would remain the same, while its fundamental niche would contract. Its realized niche would remain the same, while its fundamental niche would expand. 4. Feeding modes are just one aspect of an animal's ecological niche. true false 5. Six Caribbean lizard species feed on insects, but from different parts of the trees. What best explains their behavior? They take turns using the parts of the tree with the highest density of insects. They compete daily by fighting for domination of the preferred part of the tree. They have evolved to share the insect resources by cooperating with each other. They have evolved to partition the insect resources by using different parts of the tree. 6. Animals typically employ a single strategy to dodge predators, such as fighting back or grouping up. true false 7. Aposematic coloration is effectively the opposite of ____________. venom bluffing camouflage mimicry 8. What is an explanation for cooperative behavior within a species? Cooperative behavior confers short-term benefits not acted on by natural selection. Cooperative behavior confers long-term benefits not acted on by natural selection. Cooperative behavior evolved because of the long term benefits it confers to both partners. Cooperative behavior evolved because of the long term benefits it confers to one partner. 9. Animal populations will inevitably adapt to climate change by adjusting their ecological niches, thereby evading extinctions. true false 10. How is the subject matter of "animal ecology" best described? Animal ecology is the collective species diversity in an ecosystem. Animal ecology is the cumulative interactions between animals and their environments. Animal ecology is the synthesis of all interactions between species of animals. Animal ecology is the sum of the relationships between each animal species and it abiotic environment. Score Quiz
