The salamander Ensatina eschscholtzii xanthoptica (Yellow-eyed Ensatina) has a c

Question

The salamander Ensatina eschscholtzii xanthoptica (Yellow-eyed Ensatina) has a color pattern that very closely resembles a brightly colored poisonous newt that co-occurs in the same habitat. A scientist hypothesizes that this color pattern is an adaptation (predators will avoid the salamander if it looks poisonous) and performs the following experiment to gather evidence to test his hypothesis. 25 clay models of salamanders are painted to mimic the Yellow-eyed Ensatina and another 25 were painted to mimic a drab colored salamander. These models were then placed within the range of the Yellow-eyed Ensatina and left for 25 days. The clay models were then collected and the number of attack marks recorded. Which of the following results would provide evidence for his hypothesis? Answer Both types of models had a significant number of attack marks. The models that resembled the Yellow-eyed Ensatina had significantly fewer attack marks than the other models. Neither of the models had a significant number of attack marks. The models that resembled the Yellow-eyed Ensatina had significantly more attack marks than the other models.

Explanation / Answer

The models that resembled the Yellow-eyed Ensatina had significantly fewer attack marks than the other models. This could mean that predators are selectively avoiding the Yellow-eye Ensatina models because they resemble poisonous newts.

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