Question

taking another look at food webs

the relationship between the crossbills and the lodgepole pines in the rocky mountains shows us that interactions between predators and prey can have a strong influence on the traits of both populations. the food webs you’ve seen earlier in this lesson are a good way of showing these predator - prey relationships. but food webs do not always display trait - affecting relationships. take the relationship between a dwarf mongoose and a hornbill on the african savanna, for example. these two species hunt and forage for food together and warn each other when predators are approaching.

though interconnected, is the relationship between the mongoose and the hornbill displayed on the savanna food web?

• yes, the relationship is displayed on this web, the hornbill is linked to the mongoose.
• yes, there is an arrow connecting the two species together.
• yes the relationship is demonstrated since they are both part of the same food web.
• no, there is no arrow connecting the hornbill to the mongoose, showing their close interactions.

Explanation:

To determine the answer, we analyze the options:

1. The first option claims the hornbill is linked to the mongoose, but food webs show predator - prey or energy - flow (arrow - based) relationships. The mongoose - hornbill relationship is a mutualistic (non - predator - prey, non - energy - flow) interaction, so no arrow for this specific interaction.
2. The second option says there is an arrow, but as explained, their mutualistic interaction isn't shown by an arrow in a typical food web (which focuses on who eats whom/energy transfer).
3. The third option says being part of the same food web demonstrates the relationship, but just being in the same web doesn't show their specific mutualistic interaction (food webs show trophic/energy - related interactions, not all species interactions).
4. The fourth option is correct. Food webs use arrows to show energy flow (predator - prey, producer - consumer). The mongoose and hornbill's mutualistic interaction (hunting together, warning each other) is not a trophic/energy - flow relationship, so there's no arrow connecting them to show this close interaction.

Answer:

D. No, there is no arrow connecting the hornbill to the mongoose, showing their close interactions.