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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Which of the following words is used to describe an ant swarm?

2. How many varieties of ant-plant symbiosis are categorized in this chapter?

3. Which of the following scientists was NOT involved in the study of hierarchical competition?

4. How many species of army ants can be found in "The New World"?

5. Which of the following types of symbiosis does NOT deal with nest sharing?

Short Essay Questions

1. How did Moser discover ventilation systems in ant nests in Louisiana?

2. What interesting collecting method did Harlow Shapely use when preserving ants?

3. How do Solenopsis flies affect the productivity of Apocephalus ants in Texas?

4. What is the typical foraging pattern for harvester ants?

5. What modifications must a parasite's body undergo in order to live successfully off a host's body?

6. How is an army ant defined?

7. How do weaver ants build their nests?

8. Why are Proceratium ants considered the most specialized of all egg predators?

9. How does density specialization affect competition with ant species?

10. In his study of army ants published in 1948, what does Schnerila claim happens to the queen as her brood reaches maturity?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Ants are considered a highly altruistic species of animals. Define altruism. Give two examples of ways in which ants are considered altruistic creatures. Finally, explain how the altruism found within ant societies benefits the colony as a whole. Do you think ants would survive were it not for their altruistic nature?

Essay Topic 2

All ant colonies function with an intricate caste system for labor. Explain the various castes that each colony needs to survive. Explain the role of major and minor players within these castes. How do their roles vary? Finally, explain how an individual ant can move up in the hierarchy of this caste system.

Essay Topic 3

Many field studies have been done in regards to the symbiotic relationships ants have with their own, and alien species in the wild. Explain how a symbiotic relationship is defined. Give one example of a symbiotic relationship between differing ant species. Finally, give at least one example of a symbiotic relationship between and ant and alien species in the wild.

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