TLS Online TPP Program

#Question id: 12252


In a study of interactions between plants, ants and caterpillars, the following experimental treatments were imposed: i) Control (both ants and caterpillars are present); ii) Ant removal; iii) Caterpillar removal; iv) Ant and caterpillar removal. Plus (+) indicates presence and minus (-) indicates absence on plants. The results for plant performance (growth) from this experiment  are shown in the figure below. Plant performance in all treatments were significantly different from each other. Based on these results, which of the following inferences is correct?


#Unit 10. Ecological Principles
  1. In the absence of caterpillars, ants negatively affected plant performance
  2. In the absence of ants, caterpillars positively affected plant performance 
  3. In the presence of caterpillars, ants negatively affected plant performance 
  4. In the presence of ants, caterpillars positively affected plant performance