Question

Hitchhiker Snails A type of small snail is very widespread in Japan, and colonies of the snails that are genetically similar have been found very far apart. Scientists wondered how the snails could travel such long distances. A recent study1 provides the answer. Biologist Shinichiro Wada fed live snails to birds and found that of the snails were excreted live out the other end. The snails apparently are able to seal their shells shut to keep the digestive fluids from getting in.

What is the best estimate for the proportion of all snails of this type to live after being eaten by a bird?

Answer 1

Answer: 0.149

Explanation:

As Scientists wondered how the snails could travel such long distances. A recent study provides the answer. Biologist Shinichiro Wada fed 174 live snails to birds and found that 26 of the snails were excreted live out the other end.

The best estimate for the proportion of all snails of this type to live after being eaten by a bird can be achieved by calculating the ratio of survival/number of eaten snails

Where the number of eaten snails = 174

The number of survivors = 26

Estimated proportion = 26/174 = 0.1494

Therefore, the best estimate for the proportion of all snails of this type to live after being eaten by a bird will be 0.149 approximately.