Community Ecology Test Review

 Species diversity is dependent on:

• species abundance
• species richness
• species dispersion
• species abundance and species richness

Resource partitioning is best described by which of the following statements?

• Competitive exclusion results in the success of the superior species.
• Slight variation in niche allows closely related species to coexist.
• Two species can coevolve and share the same niche.
• Species diversity is maintained by switching between prey species.

The traditional concept of succession includes the idea of an equilibrium state called a climax community. Ecologists now think there may be no such thing as a climax community because:

• Disturbance is ongoing in ecosystems.
• All organisms eventually die.
• Species diversity generally increases.
• Extinction increases in stable environments.

Which of the following types of species interaction is INCORRECTLY paired to its effects on the density of the two interacting populations?

• Predation - one increases, one decreases
• Parasitism - one increases, one decreases
• Commensalism - both increase 
• Competition - both decrease

An insect that has evolved to closely resemble a twig will probably be able to avoid:

• Parasitism
• Symbiosis
• Predation
• Competition

To be certain that two species had coevolved, one would ideally have to establish that:

• The two species are adapted to a common set of environmental conditions.
• Each species has an impact on the population density of the other species.
• The local extinction of one species results in the extinction of the other species.
• Each species has adaptations that specifically followed evolutionary change in the other.

Which of the following characteristics would be a successful evolution for both a predator or a prey organism?

• Camouflage
• Heat-sensing ability
• 3-D vision
• echolocation

A successful parasite could possess all of the following except:

• Flattened shape
• Suckers
• Anesthetic secretions
•  Large size

An animal with bright coloration is likely to be:

• A predator
• Poisonous
• A competitor
• A prey organism

According to the competitive exclusion principle, two species cannot continue to occupy the same:

• Habitat
• Niche
• Territory
• Range