Question

Wild turkeys are commonly found around Yolo County, including in the city of Davis. While the adult birds can tolerate a wide temperature and precipitation range, juvenile turkeys (eggs and hatchlings) are more susceptible to cold, especially under wet conditions. Wild turkeys eat a wide variety of foods, including seeds and berries, as well as small insects and other invertebrates. These types of food are especially common in agricultural fields in Yolo County, meaning wild turkeys commonly roost in portions of the county with a high prevalence of agricultural lands. Some regions of the county, such as the town of Winters, are home to wild peafowl, which have similar abiotic tolerances and food sources as wild turkey. Though smaller than wild turkeys, peafowl are aggressive enough to outcompete the wild turkey for food and space.

Which of the following statements are true about the niche of wild turkeys? Select all that apply
a. The realized niche of wild turkeys is reduced compared to its fundamental niche
b. The fundamental niche of wild turkeys changes throughout their lifespan
c. The realized niche of wild turkeys excludes regions inhabited by wild peafowl
d. The fundamental niche of wild turkeys is influenced by human agricultural activities
e. The realized niche of wild turkeys is influenced by the amount of precipitation in winter

Answer 1

The realized niche of wild turkeys is reduced compared to its fundamental niche due to competition with wild peafowl. Human agricultural activities influence the fundamental niche of wild turkeys, while the amount of precipitation in winter affects their realized niche.

Step-by-step explanation:

The correct statements about the niche of wild turkeys are:

1. The realized niche of wild turkeys is reduced compared to its fundamental niche.
2. The fundamental niche of wild turkeys is influenced by human agricultural activities.
3. The realized niche of wild turkeys is influenced by the amount of precipitation in winter.

A niche refers to the specific role that a species plays in its environment, including its habitat, food sources, and interactions with other species. The fundamental niche refers to the full potential of a species to occupy a certain habitat and utilize its resources, while the realized niche refers to the actual resources and habitat that the species occupies in reality. In the case of wild turkeys, their realized niche is reduced compared to their fundamental niche due to competition with wild peafowl for food and space. Additionally, human agricultural activities influence the fundamental niche of wild turkeys by providing them with a steady supply of food in agricultural fields, while the amount of winter precipitation can affect the realized niche by impacting the availability of certain foods.