1. These are a few descriptor words that we use to describe
some organisms:
carnivore
herbivore
scavenger
carrion
detrital feeder
decomposer
filter feeder
producer
Choose words which can be applied to:
a) sandworm (Parchment Worm)
b) soldier crab
c) semaphore crab
To determine which words can be applied to each organism, we need to understand the definitions of the given descriptors:
1. Carnivore: An organism that primarily feeds on other animals.
2. Herbivore: An organism that primarily feeds on plants or plant material.
3. Scavenger: An organism that consumes dead or decaying organisms.
4. Carrion: The dead and decaying flesh of an animal.
5. Detrital feeder: An organism that consumes decomposing organic matter or detritus.
6. Decomposer: An organism that breaks down dead organic matter and recycles nutrients.
7. Filter feeder: An organism that feeds by filtering out small particles, such as plankton, from water.
8. Producer: An organism that can produce its own food through photosynthesis.
Now let's apply these terms to the given organisms:
a) Sandworm (Parchment Worm)
- Carnivore: The sandworm is a carnivorous organism that primarily feeds on other small animals living in the sand.
- Scavenger: While the sandworm does not typically consume carrion, it can scavenge on dead animals if available.
- Detrital feeder: The sandworm is not considered a detrital feeder as it mainly feeds on living prey rather than decomposing organic matter.
- Decomposer: The sandworm is not a decomposer as it does not break down dead organic matter.
- Filter feeder: The sandworm is not a filter feeder as it does not filter particles from the water.
- Producer: The sandworm is not a producer as it does not perform photosynthesis.
b) Soldier crab
- Carnivore: The soldier crab is not primarily a carnivore as its diet mainly consists of organic material from the sand, including bacteria, plankton, and detritus.
- Scavenger: The soldier crab does not feed on carrion, but it is considered a scavenger as it consumes decaying organic material found on the beach.
- Detrital feeder: The soldier crab is a detrital feeder since it consumes decomposing organic matter like plant material and dead organisms.
- Decomposer: The soldier crab is not involved in decomposition since it primarily feeds on already decomposed organic matter.
- Filter feeder: The soldier crab is not a filter feeder as it does not filter particles from the water.
- Producer: The soldier crab is not a producer as it does not perform photosynthesis.
c) Semaphore crab
- Carnivore: The semaphore crab is not a carnivore as its diet primarily consists of algae, small invertebrates, and detritus.
- Scavenger: The semaphore crab is not a scavenger as it does not consume dead or decaying organisms.
- Detrital feeder: The semaphore crab is a detrital feeder since it consumes decomposing organic matter like detritus and dead plant material.
- Decomposer: The semaphore crab is not involved in decomposition since it does not break down dead organic matter.
- Filter feeder: The semaphore crab is not a filter feeder as it does not filter particles from the water.
- Producer: The semaphore crab is not a producer as it does not perform photosynthesis.
In summary:
a) Sandworm (Parchment Worm): Carnivore, Scavenger
b) Soldier crab: Detrital feeder, Scavenger
c) Semaphore crab: Detrital feeder
Please note that while additional information about the specific organisms can provide more accurate classifications, the given terms have been applied based on general characteristics and diet patterns.