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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 part of an ant's body is used most during kin recognition?

2. How many times their own body weight do Idaho harvester ants retrieve during their lifetime?

3. Which of the following is NOT a way ant species deal with their dead?

4. What is the colloquial name for the ant species "Paratrechina longicornis"?

5. How old is the oldest ant fossil found to date?

Short Essay Questions

1. What are some of the ways ant colonies control the numbers of queens present in their colony?

2. What are "Tramp Species" of ants?

3. What realization did scientists make about the Myrmica ants ability to differentiate larvae from eggs?

4. What controversy surrounds the ant fossil discovered in the Victoria, Australia by Jell and Duncan in 1986?

5. What is a "super colonial" ant colony?

6. How do male ants function within the colony caste system?

7. What factors affect the success of foraging within an ant colony?

8. How do various ant species, as discussed in this novel, protect their nests from spiders?

9. How do ant colonies treat foreign ants that wander in the nest?

10. What defense mechanism is unique to the Asian ant species known as Camponotus Saundersi?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In the introduction of the text, authors Holldolber and Wilson argue the importance of ants within the scientific and ecologic communities. Explain why ants are important to most landscapes in this world. Explain why Wilson believes vertebrate animals are favored over invertebrates in science books and studies.

Essay Topic 2

The role of the queen within an ant society is one that Wilson demands much focus on throughout the text. Explain the role of the queen in starting an ant colony. What role does the queen play in decision-making for the colony as a whole? Finally, explain how the role of the queen changes as the society becomes more successful, and which members of the colony take over the decision-making process.

Essay Topic 3

Female ants are thought to be more valuable than male ants within the colony. Explain the role that male ants play within an ant colony. Explain why male ants are genetically created to have a shorter life span than females. Explain how ant colonies survive as almost solely female operations.

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