Final answer:
The ecologist's study of wing patterns on butterflies for predator evasion is an example of organismal ecology, which examines adaptations allowing species to thrive in specific habitats.
Step-by-step explanation:
An ecologist studying the patterns on the wings of an endangered butterfly species to understand how they help the butterfly escape predators is an example of organismal ecology. This branch of ecology focuses on the adaptations, which can be morphological, physiological, or behavioral, that enable individuals to live in specific habitats. The patterns on the butterfly's wings likely serve as a form of camouflage or mimicry, which are adaptations that help the butterfly avoid predation and are central to organismal ecology studies.