Question

this diagram shows a food chain from lake superior, a freshwater ecosystem on the border of the united states and canada. in this food chain, the mudminnow is a tertiary consumer. why? it makes its own food. it eats a secondary consumer. it eats a tertiary consumer.

Explanation:

• Producers make their own food. Algae is the producer here.
• Primary consumers eat producers. Mayfly (eats algae) is a primary consumer.
• Secondary consumers eat primary consumers. Whirligig beetle (eats mayfly) is a secondary consumer.
• Tertiary consumers eat secondary consumers. Mudminnow (eats whirligig beetle) is a tertiary consumer as it eats a secondary consumer.

Answer:

It eats a secondary consumer.