The Economy Of Nature 6th Edition By Ricklefs - Test Bank

e Test Bank Chapter 01

Description

Instructions The following questions challenge you to think about how ecologists study and

learn about the natural world. The emphasis of these questions is on application

of the scientific method. Imagine that you are following up on some pioneering

research carried out in the 1930s by the entomologist V. G. Dethier on feeding

behavior of swallowtail butterflies. Dethier observed that larvae of certain

swallowtail butterfly species feed selectively on plants belonging to the carrot

family (Apiaciae). He wondered how the larvae were able to locate such plants.

Using simple but cleverly designed experiments, Dethier was able to

demonstrate that these larvae recognize their preferred food plants based on

their odors.

Question 1 Essay

Question Dethier and other entomologists have spent considerable time

watching the behaviors of butterfly larvae as they move about in natural

habitats and select different plants to eat. Dethier recorded his observations

until he felt he could identify trends that might lead to an understanding of the

processes underlying larval food selection. Which component of the scientific

method did this aspect of Dethier's research represent?

Answer observation and description

Question 2 Essay

Question Dethier proposed that swallowtail larvae locate their preferred food

plants using their sense of smell. In other words, he believed that the larvae

were able to discriminate among various kinds of plants by detecting

particular kinds of volatile chemicals released by the plants. Which

component of the scientific method did this aspect of Dethier's research

represent? Answer: development of hypotheses and explanations

Answer development of hypotheses and explanations

Question 3 Essay

Question Dethier conducted experiments to determine if his explanation of

how swallowtail larvae locate their host plants might be correct. Which

component of the scientific method did this aspect of Dethier's research

represent?

Answer testing of hypotheses

Question 4 Essay

Question You are interested in studying the role of olfaction (using the sense

of smell) in location of host plants by larvae of a particular species of

swallowtail butterfly. You hypothesize that these larvae detect their preferred

host plants in the carrot family by olfaction. Following Dethier's methodology,