Question

A species of protozoan-carrying mosquito lives in a meadow. The protozoan, if transmitted to mammal hosts through a bit, can be fatal to the host. Two species of rabbits, species I and II, both live in this meadow. Species I is immune to the protozoan but species II is not. The mosquito is a main food source for a bat species that lives around the meadow. If all of these bats are eliminated suddenly by a white nose fungal infection, what would be the most likely outcome?
A) Increased mortality in rabbit species I
B) Increased mortality of rabbit species II
C) Increased herbivory by rabbit species II
D) Increased mortality of the mosquito population

Answer 1

Answer:

(B). Increased mortality of rabbit species II

Explanation:

Bats feed on mosquito species that carry pathogenic protozoans, which are fatal for mammals. If all bats are removed from that meadow, there will be no predators for mosquito species and they will grow in a large number and infect mammals through biting.

As rabbit species I is immune for the protozoan, transmitted by mosquito, they will fight against protozoan infection and will survive. On the other hand, species II has no immunity against the protozoan, so, they will get infected and die due to the protozoan-infection.

Thus, the correct answer is option (B).

Answer 2

Answer:

Increased mortality of rabbit species II

Explanation: