If a disease eliminates the toxic newts from a habitat where the snake, Thamnophis sirtalis lives and if the newts do not subsequently re-colonize this habitat, then TTx resistence in snakes should decrease over time (select all that apply) - snakes without ttx resistence start making their own ttx. - snakes emigrate away from this habitat to new habitats where toxic newts liive - snakes with hiogh ttx resistance are captured more often by predators - snakes with high ttx resistence are out competed by snakes with low ttx resistence
If a disease eliminates the toxic newts from a habitat where the snake, Thamnophis sirtalis lives and if the newts do not subsequently re-colonize this habitat, then TTx resistence in snakes should decrease over time (select all that apply)
- snakes without ttx resistence start making their own ttx.
- snakes emigrate away from this habitat to new habitats where toxic newts liive
- snakes with hiogh ttx resistance are captured more often by predators
- snakes with high ttx resistence are out competed by snakes with low ttx resistence
TTX is a neurotoxin that has an impact on voltage-gated sodium channels of an organism. It is produced by newts to protect themselves against their predators. Snake, Thamnophis sirtalis, feeds on newts and thus slowly develops resistance against TTX toxin.
Explanation of all the options:
1) Snakes without TTX resistance start making their own TTX: TTX toxin is produced by newts as a protection against their predator and is toxic to snakes. In the absence of newts in the environment, it is unlikely that snakes will start producing the toxin. Thus, it is an incorrect option.
2) Snakes emigrate away from this habitat to new habitats where toxic newts live: An organism living in an environment is best suited for that environment and migrating to new environment may pose survival challenges for the snakes. Also, predators feed on the food sources present near them and do not go for only one type of prey. Therefore, it is an incorrect option.
3) Snakes with high TTX resistance are captured more often by predators: Resistance to TTX is an internal trait developed by snakes against the toxin produced by their prey. It is not an external trait that can be selected by predators of snakes. Also, toxin is harmful to other organisms too and every organism tries to feed on less harmful prey. Thus, it is an incorrect option.
4) Snakes with TTX resistance are out-competed by snakes with low TTX resistance: Intraspecific competition exists among all the species with greater number of variation. TTX toxin induces the numbness and reduces muscle power therefore, there is possibility that the competition ability of resistant snakes may have reduced. Thus resistant snakes could be out-competed by non-resistant snakes. Hence, it is the correct option.
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