Question

Read through the summaries of each of the three actual scientific studies. For each, identify whether their research questions fall under the realm of community ecology or coevolution.

Study A:
The rusty crayfish is an invasive species through the Midwest and the Northeastern United States. Lodge and Lorman (1987) conducted an experiment to test the effects of invasive crayfish on lake ecosystems. they found that the abundance and diversity of aquatic plants and snails were lower in enclosures where crayfish were included than where they were excluded. They concluded that the rusty crayfish disrupt the ecosystem by grazing on plants and invertebrates.
Study A is in the realm of ["community ecology", "coevolution"] .

Study B:
McArt et al. (2010) wanted to test how the genetic diversity of plants influences the insects that visit them. They surveyed insects on evening primrose growing in polycultures (multiple genotypes per plot) and monocultures *one genotype per plot). They found that polycultures had a lower diversity of arthropods due to a higher abundance of the dominant insect species, Plagiognathus politus, a but that eats both plants and other insects.
Study B is in the realm of ["coevolution", "community ecology"].

Study C:
Milkweeds use chemicals to defend themselves against herbivores. Monarch butterflies use milkweed defense chemicals *cardenolides) as a defense against predators. Cardenolides act as an emetic that causes birds to vomit, teaching them to avoid monarchs and their larvae. Fink and Brower (1981) found flocks of orioles in Mexico had learned to pick out the edible parts from high-cardenolide butterflies. As a result, the Mexican butterfly population had a lower level of cardenolides than California and Massachusetts populations, where birds avoid high-cardenolide butterflies.
Study C is in the realm of ["community ecology", "coevolution"] .
a. community ecology
b. community ecology
c. coevolution

Answer 1

Study A falls under the realm of community ecology, while both Study B and Study C fall under the realm of coevolution.

Step-by-step explanation:

Study A falls under the realm of community ecology. The researchers were investigating how the invasive rusty crayfish affects lake ecosystems, specifically the abundance and diversity of aquatic plants and snails. This study focused on the interactions between different species within the community.

Study B falls under the realm of coevolution. The researchers were studying how the genetic diversity of plants influences the insects that visit them. This study focused on the reciprocal adaptations and interactions between the plants and insects.

Study C also falls under the realm of coevolution. The researchers were studying the interaction between milkweed plants and monarch butterflies, specifically how the butterflies have learned to avoid high-cardenolide butterflies. This study focused on the reciprocal adaptations and interactions between the plants and butterflies.