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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 is NOT part of mutualism within ant-plant symbiosis?

2. What type of weather facilitates the introduction of parasitic queens?

3. What is another word for myrmecophile?

4. When Wilson wrote about studying harvester ants and the Old Testament, where was he located?

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

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What is an ant garden?

3. What is dulosis? How is it a form of symbiosis?

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

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

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

7. How do harvester ants affect vegetation in an ecosystem?

8. What is acacia?

9. What are trophobiants? Why are they compared to cattlers?

10. How do weaver ants build their nests?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Each ant colony goes through three distinct phases of the life cycle. Explain what happens during the founding stages of an ant colony. Explain what happens during the ergonomic stages. Finally, explain what happens during the reproductive phase. How do all three of these phases work together as a life cycle?

Essay Topic 2

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 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

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