Question

Consider the following claim about how a snail leech can increase its reproductive success:
Covering its eggs with its body increases the chances that the leech's eggs will hatch.
Which of the following observations best supports the claim?

Answer 1

To support the claim that covering its eggs with its body increases the chances that the leech's eggs will hatch, you would want to provide observations that demonstrate a positive correlation between the behavior of the leech covering its eggs and the hatching success of those eggs. Here are some possible observations that could best support the claim:

1. **Increased Hatching Rates**: A study shows that eggs covered by the leech have a significantly higher hatching success rate compared to those left uncovered.

2. **Environmental Protection**: Observations reveal that covering the eggs protects them from environmental threats (e.g., fluctuations in temperature, drying out, predation), leading to a higher survival rate of the eggs.

3. **Behavioral Comparisons**: Research indicates that snails that cover their eggs have a higher reproductive success compared to those that do not cover their eggs, suggesting a direct benefit to the behavior.

4. **Egg Condition Analysis**: Eggs that are covered by the leech show better signs of development (e.g., fewer dead embryos, more uniform growth) compared to those that are not covered.

Any of these observations would effectively support the claim by linking the behavior of egg covering to increased reproductive success, specifically through enhanced hatching success.