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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. What is the main component of a weaver ant's nest?

2. In what country did scientists Vepsalainen and Pisarski devise a three-tiered classification for hierarchical competition?

3. Which of the following scientists used to preserve ants in vodka?

4. Where do weaver ants live, exclusively?

5. What is another word for myrmecophile?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. How do Teleutomyrmex schneideri ants survive?

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

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

5. What is an ant garden?

6. What amusing anecdote does V. Wolfgang von Hagen give about leafcutter ants?

7. What is acacia?

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

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

10. How is an army ant defined?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

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 3

Ants in the text have various types of nests they live in and build. Create a list of nest making strategies discussed in the text. Choose the nest making strategy you find most interesting, and describe it in as much detail as possible. Finally, explain the motivations behind this nest making strategy. Why does this particular ant species build this particular type of nest?

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This section contains 928 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample