Question

a partial food web is shown below. the populations of which organisms will most likely increase as a result of a disease that suddenly reduced the population of texas horned lizards? \
\
\\(\circ\\) texas cottonmouths and red - shouldered hawks \
\\(\circ\\) grasshoppers and texas cottonmouths \
\\(\circ\\) ants and grasshoppers \
\\(\circ\\) grasses and ants

Explanation:

In a food web, if the population of a predator (Texas horned lizards) decreases, the populations of its prey (ants and grasshoppers, as per the food web) will likely increase because there is less predation pressure. Let's analyze each option:

• Option 1: Texas cottonmouths and red - shouldered hawks are predators of Texas horned lizards. If lizards decrease, these predators may have less food, so their populations are less likely to increase.
• Option 2: Texas cottonmouths are predators of lizards, so their population may not increase. Grasshoppers are prey of lizards, but this option also includes cottonmouths which is incorrect.
• Option 3: Ants and grasshoppers are prey of Texas horned lizards. With fewer lizards to eat them, their populations are likely to increase.
• Option 4: Grasses are producers. The decrease in lizards doesn't directly lead to an increase in grasses. Ants are prey of lizards, but grasses' increase is not directly related here.

Answer:

C. Ants and grasshoppers