Question 1

Which of the following best describes the relationship between coral and zooxanthellae under normal environmental conditions?

Accepted Answer

Mutualism, because both species benefit from the interaction.

Question 2

If two species require identical resources and are placed in the same environment, what is the likely outcome according to the competitive exclusion principle?

Accepted Answer

One species will outcompete the other, leading to the exclusion of the less competitive species.

Question 3

Which process is illustrated when two competing species evolve differences in their traits, such as beak size, to reduce competition?

Accepted Answer

Character displacement

Question 4

A bee pollinating a flower is an example of which type of species interaction?

Accepted Answer

Mutualism

Question 5

Which of the following is an example of niche partitioning?

Accepted Answer

Two bird species feed on the same tree but one eats insects from the bark while the other eats insects from the leaves.

Question 6

How can environmental changes, such as increased water temperature, alter the interaction between coral and zooxanthellae?

Accepted Answer

The interaction can shift from mutualism to parasitism as zooxanthellae begin to harm the coral.

Question 7

Which of the following best describes coevolution?

Accepted Answer

A pattern of evolution in which two interacting species reciprocally influence each other’s adaptations over time.

Question 8

In a coevolutionary arms race between a parasite and its host, what is the most likely next step if the host evolves a new defense?

Accepted Answer

The parasite evolves a counter-adaptation to overcome the host’s defense.

Question 9

Which of the following is most likely to be a keystone species in a community?

Accepted Answer

A species that has a disproportionately large effect on community structure relative to its abundance.

Question 10

Which of the following best describes species richness?

Accepted Answer

The number of different species present in a community.

Question 11

A community has five species, each with six individuals. What can be said about its diversity?

Accepted Answer

It has high species evenness and high species richness.

Question 12

Which equation would you use to calculate species diversity using the Shannon diversity index?

Accepted Answer

$$H' = -\sum_{i=1}^{S} p_i \log(p_i)$$

Question 13

Which of the following scenarios best illustrates character displacement?

Accepted Answer

Two finch species living on the same island evolve different beak sizes to reduce competition for food.

Question 14

Which of the following is an example of commensalism?

Accepted Answer

Barnacles attaching to a whale, where the barnacles benefit and the whale is unaffected.

Question 15

Which mutualism is most likely to lead to coevolution?

Accepted Answer

A specialized ant species living on and defending a specific acacia tree.

Question 16

If Community 1 has a diversity index of 1.873 and Community 2 has a diversity index of 1.019, both with seven species, what can you conclude?

Accepted Answer

Community 1 has higher species diversity and higher evenness than Community 2.

Question 17

Which of the following best describes the outcome of niche partitioning?

Accepted Answer

Competing species use different resources, reducing direct competition and allowing coexistence.

Question 18

Which of the following is an example of an evolutionary arms race?

Accepted Answer

Predators evolve sharper claws while prey evolve tougher skin.

Question 19

Which of the following is NOT a possible outcome of interspecific competition?

Accepted Answer

Both species go extinct.

Question 20

Which of the following best describes the role of a dominant species in a community?

Accepted Answer

It is the most abundant species in the community.

Community Ecology: Species Interactions, Coevolution, and Community Structure

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