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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 scientists was NOT involved in the study of hierarchical competition?

2. Which of the following ant species is the most specialized granivore?

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

4. Which of the following is NOT a behavioral category for myrmecophiles?

5. Which of the following provides the silk needed to weave the weaver ants' nest together?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. How is an army ant defined?

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

4. What is the first phase of nest building in a weaver ant colony? Why does this phase require teamwork?

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

6. How do Teleutomyrmex schneideri ants survive?

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

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

9. What type of ant predator did Levieux discover by digging under the soil on the Ivory Coast in 1983?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Pheromones are considered the most important asset to ant communication. Describe two different ways in which ants communicate using their pheromones. Explain how pheromones are emitted from the ant's body in both liquid and gas forms.

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

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?

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This section contains 952 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample