Green crabs carry a parasitic worm that can infect organisms that prey on the crabs. Which organism is most likely to be infected by this parasite?
A. Gulls
B. Barnacles
C. Marsh periwinkles
D. Blue Mussels
The answers are:
1. A
2. D
3. C
4. C
5. D
6. A
7. D
8. A
9. C
10. D
I think its A
Agree
IMG_2547 (1) is 100% Correct!
IMG_2547 is 100% Correct!
To determine which organism is most likely to be infected by the parasitic worm carried by green crabs, we need to consider the ecological relationships between these organisms. The given options are gulls, barnacles, marsh periwinkles, and blue mussels.
Green crabs are predators, and organisms that prey on the crabs are most likely to be infected by the parasitic worm. Let's examine the options:
A. Gulls: Gulls are primarily known to be predators of various marine organisms, including crabs. Therefore, they have a higher chance of coming into contact with green crabs and being infected by the parasitic worm.
B. Barnacles: Barnacles are filter feeders that typically attach themselves to hard surfaces and filter food particles from the water. They generally do not prey on organisms like crabs, so they may have less interaction with green crabs and a lower risk of being infected by the parasitic worm.
C. Marsh periwinkles: Marsh periwinkles are commonly found in intertidal zones and are known to consume algae, detritus, and other small organisms. While they may occasionally come into contact with green crabs, they are likely to have less frequent interactions compared to predators like gulls. Therefore, their risk of being infected may be lower.
D. Blue Mussels: Blue mussels are filter-feeding bivalves that are attached to hard surfaces. Similar to barnacles, they primarily consume plankton and other small particles suspended in the water. While green crabs may attempt to prey on mussels, it is less common due to the mussels' protective shells. As a result, blue mussels may have a lower risk of being infected by the parasitic worm compared to gulls.
Based on these considerations, the organism most likely to be infected by the parasitic worm carried by green crabs is A. Gulls, as they are predators that frequently interact with these crabs during feeding.