Question

while researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:

• the argentine ant (linepithema humile) is an ant species native to south america.
• humans have spread argentine ants to every continent except antarctica.
• they can survive in urban and rural environments.
• they form massive, interconnected supercolonies with multiple nests and queen ants.
• unlike other ant species, argentine ants from different nests can interact without aggression.
• these behaviors allow them to spread rapidly wherever they are introduced.

the student wants to explain how argentine ants are able to spread rapidly. which choice most effectively uses relevant information from the notes to accomplish this goal?
choose 1 answer:
a argentine ants form huge supercolonies in which ants from different nests can interact without aggression, which allows them to spread rapidly.
b humans have spread the argentine ant, originally from south america, to every continent except antarctica.
c the argentine ant can survive in urban and rural environments around the world.
d argentine ants may be able to spread to antarctica eventually, thanks to their unique social structure.

Explanation:

• Option A: Directly addresses the reason for rapid spread (supercolonies and non - aggressive interaction) using relevant note information.
• Option B: Only mentions human - caused spread, not the ants' inherent ability to spread rapidly.
• Option C: States survival in different environments but doesn't explain rapid spread.
• Option D: Speculates about Antarctica, which is not relevant to explaining current rapid spread.

Answer:

A. Argentine ants form huge supercolonies in which ants from different nests can interact without aggression, which allows them to spread rapidly.