Question
Researchers interested in the relation between River Shrimp (Macrobrachium) abundance and pool site elevation presented the data in the graph below. Interestingly, the researchers also noted that water pools tended to be shallower at higher elevations. Which of the following is a plausible hypothesis to explain the results presented in the graph?
graph
Question 17 options:
There are more water pools at elevations above 340 meters because it rains more frequently in higher elevations.
River shrimp are more abundant in lower elevations because pools at these sites tend to be deeper.
This graph cannot be interpreted due to an outlying data point.
As elevation increases, shrimp abundance increases because they have fewer predators at higher elevations.
graph
Question 17 options:
There are more water pools at elevations above 340 meters because it rains more frequently in higher elevations.
River shrimp are more abundant in lower elevations because pools at these sites tend to be deeper.
This graph cannot be interpreted due to an outlying data point.
As elevation increases, shrimp abundance increases because they have fewer predators at higher elevations.
Answers
GPT-4o mini
Based on the information provided, the most plausible hypothesis to explain the relationship between River Shrimp (Macrobrachium) abundance and pool site elevation, in conjunction with the observation that pools tend to be shallower at higher elevations, is:
**"River shrimp are more abundant in lower elevations because pools at these sites tend to be deeper."**
This hypothesis directly connects the depth of water pools with shrimp abundance, suggesting that deeper pools may provide a more suitable habitat or more resources for the shrimp, which could explain why they are more prevalent in lower elevation areas where pooling is deeper.
**"River shrimp are more abundant in lower elevations because pools at these sites tend to be deeper."**
This hypothesis directly connects the depth of water pools with shrimp abundance, suggesting that deeper pools may provide a more suitable habitat or more resources for the shrimp, which could explain why they are more prevalent in lower elevation areas where pooling is deeper.