Question
The graph below shows the populations of two species of ants. Ants of species 2 have a thicker outer covering than ants of species 1. The outer covering of an insect helps prevent excessive evaporation of water from the insect.
Which statement would best explain the population changes shown in the graph?
Question 16 options:
Mutations occurred from April through September in both species, resulting in both species becoming better adapted to the environment.
The food sources for species 1 increased while the food sources for species 2 decreased from January through November.
Disease killed off species 1 beginning in May.
The weather was hotter and drier than normal from April through September.
Which statement would best explain the population changes shown in the graph?
Question 16 options:
Mutations occurred from April through September in both species, resulting in both species becoming better adapted to the environment.
The food sources for species 1 increased while the food sources for species 2 decreased from January through November.
Disease killed off species 1 beginning in May.
The weather was hotter and drier than normal from April through September.
Answers
GPT-4o mini
The statement that would best explain the population changes shown in the graph is:
**The weather was hotter and drier than normal from April through September.**
This statement is most relevant because the thicker outer covering of species 2 would help them retain moisture better in hotter and drier conditions, potentially leading to better survival and population growth compared to species 1, which may be more susceptible to the effects of the hot, dry weather. This explanation aligns with the relationship between environmental conditions and the adaptations of the species.
**The weather was hotter and drier than normal from April through September.**
This statement is most relevant because the thicker outer covering of species 2 would help them retain moisture better in hotter and drier conditions, potentially leading to better survival and population growth compared to species 1, which may be more susceptible to the effects of the hot, dry weather. This explanation aligns with the relationship between environmental conditions and the adaptations of the species.