Question

consider the scenario. black - tailed prairie dogs are a rodent native to the grasslands of north america. ecologists tracking colonies of black - tailed prairie dogs noticed a significant population decline, in some places by as much as 95%. the ecologists read reports documenting the presence of a bacteria that causes sylvatic plague. the sylvatic plague primarily affects rodents and is transmitted through flea bites. which question most closely relates to the ecologists observations and collected reports on prairie dogs? options: what foods do prairie dogs need to survive? are prairie dogs dying from sylvatic plague? are prairie dogs being hunted by people? why are there so many prairie dogs in grasslands?

Explanation:

The scenario is about ecologists observing a significant decline in black - tailed prairie dog populations and reports of a bacteria causing sylvatic plague (transmitted by flea bites) in rodents. We need to find the question most related to these observations.

• Option "What foods do prairie dogs need to survive?" is about their diet, not related to the population decline or the plague.
• Option "Are prairie dogs dying from sylvatic plague?" directly relates to the population decline (observed by ecologists) and the presence of the plague - causing bacteria (reported). It is a logical follow - up to investigate if the plague is the cause of the die - off.
• Option "Are prairie dogs being hunted by people?" is about human hunting, which is not mentioned in the given scenario about the plague and population decline.
• Option "Why are there so many prairie dogs in grasslands?" is about their abundance, while the scenario focuses on their decline.

Answer:

B. Are prairie dogs dying from sylvatic plague?