APES Unit 3: Generalist + Specialist Species

The tropical rain forests are known to have a large variety of animals. One example is the orchid mantis that is highly camouflaged when standing on a certain species of orchid found in tropical environments. Another species, the tropical cockroach, can live anywhere in the rain forest where it can find water and a food source.

Which of the following statements best describes why it is predicted that the orchid mantis will be more affected by global climate change than the tropical cockroach will be?

A) As the climate changes, the number of orchids is likely to increase, leading to more competition for space by the mantis population.

B) Orchid mantises tend to be advantaged in habitats that remain constant; the rain forest habitat is likely to shift because of global climate change.

C) Orchid mantises are generalists, so global climate change will give them more diverse habitats to colonize.

D) Climate change will lead directly to the clear-cutting of the forests, resulting in a smaller habitat for both the mantis and the tropical cockroach.

B) Orchid mantises tend to be advantaged in habitats that remain constant; the rain forest habitat is likely to shift because of global climate change.

Salamanders, ospreys, snapping turtles, and beavers all live in aquatic habitats. Salamanders lay their eggs in small freshwater pools and feed on insects. Osprey habitats include rivers, bays, and swamps and the birds feed on fish and other animals in the water or on land. Snapping turtles live in fresh or brackish water and feed on plants, fish, frogs, and snakes. Beavers build lodges on islands, pond banks, and lake shores and eat a variety of shrubs, grasses, and crops.

Based on the information provided above, which of the following species would best be classified as a specialist?

A) Salamanders

B) Ospreys

C) Snapping turtles

D) Beavers

A) Salamanders

Raccoons eat a variety of foods and can live in a variety of habitats, including locations near humans. Tiger salamanders eat an abundance of worms and insects and require wetland habitats so they do not dry out. Which of the following best identifies the two different species?

A) Raccoons are decomposers, and tiger salamanders are scavengers.

B) Raccoons are carnivores, and tiger salamanders are herbivores.

C) Raccoons are generalists, and salamanders are specialists.

D) Raccoons have a Type II survivorship curve, and tiger salamanders have a Type I survivorship curve.

C) Raccoons are generalists, and salamanders are specialists.

hope you did well

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