A team of researchers trapped butterflies at sites along a latitudinal gradient,

Question

A team of researchers trapped butterflies at sites along a latitudinal gradient, extending from 70° north (70° N) to 50° south (50° S). At each site, the team spent a certain amount of time trapping and then recorded the number of species represented in the sample. The figure below shows the number of species that were trapped at each site along the latitudinal gradient.

True or False:

1. Based on this figure, you can conclude that primary productivity is greatest between 0° and 10° N.

2. The majority of these species likely has narrow thermal niches (i.e., thermal specialists).

3. Most of the species between 0° and 10° S are likely to also occur between 10° S and 20° S.

4. Species between 50° and 60° north are likely to have a broad thermal niche.

5. Species that occur between 0° and 20° south are likely to extend throughout a wide range of altitudes.

70 60 50 40 30 16 19 Tropic of Cancer 30 65 10 Equator 81 79 10 20 30 40 50111LI Tropic of Capricom 69 46 13 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 Number of species

Explanation / Answer

1) True

0 to 10o North have the greatest primary productivity (81) compared to other latitudes

2) True, since most are near the equator where temperature variation is low

3 True

4 True : Species are higher altitudes are subject to greater variation in temperature.

5 False: Species are lower latitude are not tolerant to high variation in temperature

Related Questions

Navigate

• Browse (All)
• Browse A
• Subjects

---

---

Integrity-first tutoring: explanations and feedback only — we do not complete graded work. Learn more.