Answer :
Final answer:
The likely INDIRECT effects of introducing a spider as a predator to the national park on the Hawaiian island of Kauai are a decline in the population sizes of both ant species and an increase in plant population sizes.
Explanation:
When a new predator, such as a spider, is introduced into an ecosystem, it can have indirect effects on the other species present. In the national park on the Hawaiian island of Kauai, ant species A and B compete for food, which primarily consists of the seeds of the plants on the island. Due to habitat destruction, there are no natural predators of the ants in this national park. Humans decide to introduce a natural predator, a spider, to control the ant population.
The introduction of the spider as a predator can lead to indirect effects on the ant species and the plant population. The spider eats the ants indiscriminately, without any preference for species A or B. This can disrupt the existing predator-prey relationships between the ants and other organisms in the ecosystem.
One likely indirect effect of the spider introduction is that the population sizes of both ant species will decline. With the presence of a new predator, the ants will face increased predation pressure, leading to a decrease in their population sizes.
Another likely indirect effect is that fewer seeds will be eaten, resulting in an increase in plant population sizes. As the spider preys on the ants, there will be a decrease in ant foraging activity, leading to fewer seeds being consumed. This can allow more seeds to germinate and contribute to the growth of the plant population.
Therefore, the correct answer is (e) Choices B and C are both likely indirect effects.
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