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Ch. 52 - Community Ecology
Chapter 51, Problem 16

A team of 102 scientists spent a year surveying a small area of the San Lorenzo rain forest in Panama to count the number of species of arthropods living there. After collecting 129,494 specimens—using nets, traps, shovels, tree-climbing harnesses, helium balloons, and other creative gear—it took the team eight years to sort and identify the arthropods. The researchers observed a strong correlation between the number of arthropod species and the number of plant species in the San Lorenzo forest. Pose an evolutionary hypothesis to explain this correlation.

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Identify the key observation: The number of arthropod species correlates with the number of plant species in the San Lorenzo forest.
Formulate a hypothesis: The diversity of plant species provides a variety of habitats and food sources, which supports a diverse array of arthropod species.
Consider evolutionary mechanisms: Diverse plant species may lead to niche differentiation among arthropods, allowing for coexistence and reduced competition, thus promoting speciation.
Explore ecological interactions: Investigate how different plants offer unique resources (e.g., nectar, leaves, bark) that might attract specific arthropods, leading to specialized adaptations and diversification over time.
Propose further research: Suggest conducting controlled experiments or comparative studies in similar ecosystems to test the hypothesis and understand the dynamics of species diversity and ecological relationships.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Species Diversity

Species diversity refers to the variety of different species within a given ecosystem. It encompasses both species richness, which is the number of different species, and species evenness, which measures how evenly individuals are distributed among those species. High species diversity often indicates a healthy ecosystem, as it can enhance resilience and stability, allowing ecosystems to better withstand environmental changes.
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Mutualism

Mutualism is a type of symbiotic relationship where two different species benefit from each other. In the context of the San Lorenzo rain forest, arthropods and plants may engage in mutualistic interactions, such as pollination or seed dispersal, which can enhance the reproductive success of both groups. This relationship can lead to increased species diversity, as the presence of diverse plant species can provide various niches and resources for arthropods.
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Evolutionary Adaptation

Evolutionary adaptation refers to the process by which species undergo changes over time to better fit their environment. This can occur through natural selection, where advantageous traits become more common in a population. In the case of the San Lorenzo forest, the correlation between arthropod and plant species may suggest that as plant diversity increases, arthropods adapt to exploit the various resources provided by different plant species, leading to a co-evolutionary dynamic that enhances biodiversity.
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Related Practice
Textbook Question

A team of 102 scientists spent a year surveying a small area of the San Lorenzo rain forest in Panama to count the number of species of arthropods living there. After collecting 129,494 specimens—using nets, traps, shovels, tree-climbing harnesses, helium balloons, and other creative gear—it took the team eight years to sort and identify the arthropods.A team of 102 scientists spent a year surveying a small area of the San Lorenzo rain forest in Panama to count the number of species of arthropods living there. After collecting 129,494 specimens—using nets, traps, shovels, tree-climbing harnesses, helium balloons, and other creative gear—it took the team eight years to sort and identify the arthropods. Use the data in the graph to analyze the following statements. Select True or False for each statement, then correct any false statements to make them true. T/F All taxa shown in the graph are insects. T/F All taxa shown in the graph have segmented bodies and limbs. T/F All taxa shown in the graph are terrestrial. T/F If the researchers had sampled for mollusks, they probably would have found almost as many species as they did for arthropods.

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Textbook Question

A team of 102 scientists spent a year surveying a small area of the San Lorenzo rain forest in Panama to count the number of species of arthropods living there. After collecting 129,494 specimens—using nets, traps, shovels, tree-climbing harnesses, helium balloons, and other creative gear—it took the team eight years to sort and identify the arthropods. By comparing the number of arthropod species that were common among the 12 plots sampled, the researchers estimated that the total number of arthropods in the whole San Lorenzo forest is 25,000 species. To come up with this estimate, what's one assumption the researchers had to make about the forest?

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Textbook Question

Lyme disease is caused by infections of the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi (stained blue in inset, among red blood cells) which is transferred to humans via blood-sucking bites from the tick, Ixodes scapularis. Lyme disease can cause flu-like symptoms in the short term and more serious illnesses in the long term, if not treated. Why is Lyme disease on the rise in eastern North America? White-footed mice occupy a broad ecological niche—they occur in most communities regardless of habitat quality. Many other species, like the opossum, are absent from low-quality forest fragments. Based on this information and the data in Question 12, propose a hypothesis to explain the observed relationship between increased forest fragmentation and increased incidence of Lyme disease.

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Textbook Question

Lyme disease is caused by infections of the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi (stained blue in inset, among red blood cells) which is transferred to humans via blood-sucking bites from the tick, Ixodes scapularis. Lyme disease can cause flu-like symptoms in the short term and more serious illnesses in the long term, if not treated. Why is Lyme disease on the rise in eastern North America? A letter to the editor in a local newspaper asserts that 'we cannot afford to preserve natural forests, because we need to use these resources to help humans.' How could you respond to this comment in terms of Lyme disease?

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