A Venn diagram would demonstrate the dietary overlaps and distinctions among Rabbits, Squirrels, and Deer in Dr. Pringle's study. Each circle in the Venn diagram represents one animal, and the overlapping sections illustrate common plant taxa eaten by more than one animal. The totals for plants D and E are 23 and 27, respectively.
Dr. Pringle's metabarcoding study on the diets of Rabbits, Squirrels, and Deer shows the occurrence of different plant taxa eaten by each animal. To represent this information in a Venn diagram, we would create three intersecting circles, each labeled for one of the animals. The overlapping areas of the circles represent the plant taxa eaten by more than one animal, whereas the non-overlapping parts represent plant taxa eaten exclusively by one animal.
The total number of each plant taxa eaten by all three animals combined is calculated by adding the occurrences for each animal. For example, Plant D is eaten 8 times by Rabbits, 10 times by Squirrels, and 5 times by Deer. Therefore, Plant D's total is 8 + 10 + 5 = 23 occurrences. Similarly, Plant E's total is 15 + 5 + 7 = 27 occurrences. This completed Venn diagram with the totaled occurrences provides a clear visual representation of the dietary overlaps and distinctions among the three animals in the study.
The probable question may be:
Dr. Pringle conducted a metabarcoding study on the diets of three different animals—Rabbits, Squirrels, and Deer. The table below illustrates the occurrence of different plant taxa in their diets:
| Rabbits | Squirrels | Deer
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Plant A | 15 | 8 | 10
Plant B | 12 | 6 | 18
Plant C | 20 | 15 | 5
| Rabbits | Squirrels | Deer | Total Eaten
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Plant D | 8 | 10 | 5 | ?
Plant E | 15 | 5 | 7 | ?
Now, use the extended table to complete a Venn diagram illustrating the different plants eaten by Rabbits, Squirrels, and Deer. Label a circle for each animal and then calculate the total number of each plant taxa eaten by all three animals combined.