population of gypsy

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population of gypsy

by paes » Thu Jul 29, 2010 6:17 pm
Several years ago, as a measure to reduce the population of gypsy moths, which depend on oak leaves for food, entomologists introduced into many oak forests a species of fungus that is poisonous to gypsy moth caterpillars. Since then the population of both caterpillars and adult moths has significantly declined in those areas. Entomologists have concluded that the decline is attributable to the presence of the poisonous fungus.
 
Which one of the following. If true most strongly supports the conclusion drawn by the entomologists?

(A) A strain of gypsy moth whose caterpillars are unaffected by the fungus has increased its share of the total gypsy moth population
(B) The fungus that was introduced to control the gypsy moth population is poisonous to few insect species other than the gypsy moth
(C) An increase in number of both gypsy moth caterpillars and gypsy moth adults followed a drop in the number of some of the species that prey on the moths.
(D) In the past several years, air pollution and acid rain have been responsible for a substantial decline in oak tree populations.
(E) The current decline in the gypsy moth population in forests where the fungus was introduced is no greater than a decline that occurred concurrently in other forests.

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Source: — Critical Reasoning |

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by selango » Thu Jul 29, 2010 8:15 pm
IMO A

Poisonous fungus->Decline in gypsy moths

This is a cause and effect relationship.If caterpillars are not affected by fungus,then the population increases.
This proves that fungus is cause of decline.
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by outreach » Thu Jul 29, 2010 9:36 pm
B...out of scope
C.. gives another reason for decline because of scarcity of food
D.. gives another reason for decline
E.. it shows that fungus or other reason might have reduced the populaton


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by paes » Thu Jul 29, 2010 11:38 pm
selango wrote:IMO A

Poisonous fungus->Decline in gypsy moths

This is a cause and effect relationship.If caterpillars are not affected by fungus,then the population increases.
This proves that fungus is cause of decline.
A is not saying about the absolute population
but it is saying " its share of the total gypsy moth population"

So my concern was :
If one effected species is reduced then automatically the share of other species(effected or non-effected) will increase.

How does it supports that the decline is because of fungus.

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by reply2spg » Fri Jul 30, 2010 7:14 am
Does increased share means increased in number?

BTW....A is correct here
Sudhanshu
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