Question

A scientist observed that fiddler crabs are capable of plugging up the territorial burrows that they live in. These territorial burrows are located underwater during high tide and are part of the exposed shoreline during low tide. Evaluate the observation given the limiting factors during the high tide and low tide.

Answer 1

Hi i know im late but I'll post this for future people I also want to give credit to the other writers this is basically their answer just simplified so that others can understand it.

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Limiting factors is defined as - an environmental factor that tends to limit population size. So during low tide the territorial burrows that the crabs live in may be more exposed then during high tides. This could give predators an easier chance to find the fiddler crabs and consume them this limits their population. Also during high tide it could be easier to catch food since more animals will be able to come to the area.

Answer 2

The observation states a number of things. First, These crabs are territorial to the burrow they live in. This means that they each stick to their own and will defend theirs if necessary. During high tide they are underwater and during low tide they can be exposed. Now the limiting factors are things that could limit these creatures.

So some limiting factors that I can see based off this information is during low tide they are exposed to predators and are more likely to be harmed during that time than during high tide.

Another limiting factor is they are territorial which means they stay in the same area. This might not be dangerous predator wise but when they are located near each other food may be harder to get.

Finally also pertaining food, the tides could effect when they get food, it may be harder for them to get food during high tide then it is during low tide.

Hope this helps. Feel free to ask me any more questions! Thanks.