Question

The tropical rain forests are known to have a large variety of animals. One example is the orchid mantis that is highly camouflaged when standing on a certain species of orchid found in tropical environments. Another species, the tropical cockroach, can live anywhere in the rain forest where it can find water and a food source.Which of the following statements best describes why it is predicted that the orchid mantis will be more affected by global climate change than the tropical cockroach will be?a. As the climate changes, the number of orchids is likely to increase, leading to more competition for space by the mantis population.b. Orchid mantises tend to be advantaged in habitats that remain constant; the rain forest habitat is likely to shift because of global climate change.c. Orchid mantises are generalists, so global climate change will give them more diverse habitats to colonize.d. Climate change will lead directly to the clear-cutting of the forests, resulting in a smaller habitat for both the mantis and the tropical cockroach.

Answer 1

Answer: b. Orchid mantises tend to be advantaged in habitats that remain constant; the rain forest habitat is likely to shift because of global climate change.

Explanation:

The orchid mantis is a predator in South East Asia that camouflages itself as an orchid to catch its prey.

While the tropical cockroach is a more hardy specie, the optimum habitat for orchid mantises is one with limited variation in temperature, moisture and humidity. Therefore, as temperatures increase and climate change results in severe weather changes, it will lead to adverse effects on orchid mantises.