Question

This research has implications for the environmental issue of introduced (invasive) species because it demonstrates an effect that introduced species can have on native species. Which of the following describes the effect that A. segrei had on A. carolinensis?

A. carolinensis responded by evolving when the population was challenged by the introduced species occupying a similar niche.
B. carolinensis became locally extinct because they could not compete for available resources as well as the invader A. segrei.
C. The research demonstrated that introduced species can only invade a region where there is no competition with the native species.
D. carolinensis became locally extinct because the introduced species preyed upon them and they lacked natural defenses.

Answer 1

The invasive species A. segrei contributed to the local extinction of the native species A. carolinensis due to predation and competition. Invasive species cause significant ecological disturbances and ecosystem modifications, leading to changes in native species populations and often their extinction.

Step-by-step explanation:

The impact that Anolis segrei (A. segrei), introduced species, had on Anolis carolinensis (A. carolinensis) is the local extinction of the native species. This can occur due to the invasive species preying upon the natives or out-competing them for resources, leading to the decline or extinction of native species. Biological invasions often lead to such ecosystem modifications, where native species like A. carolinensis either adapt, migrate, or, in the worst cases, become extinct.

Invasive species can trigger a chain reaction of ecological disturbances, highlighting the complexity of interactions within ecosystems. Examples such as the spread of Asian parasitic tapeworms and the devastation of European rabbit populations in Britain showcase the cascading effects that invasive species can have on various other species in the ecosystem.

Overall, invasive species are a significant concern due to the ecological disturbance they cause, having been ranked second only to habitat loss globally. With invasive species inducing not only environmental but also economic losses, it is essential to assess their impact promptly and plan for their eradication or management.