Question

percentage of available eggs eaten by cane toad tadpoles
amphibian species (common name) percentage of eggs eaten native to produces
little red tree frog 1% australia bufadienolide
cane toad 90% yes no
short - footed frog 7% no yes
striped burrowing frog 10% yes no
dainty green tree frog 1% yes no
native to latin america, the cane toad was introduced to australia in the 1930s. in recent decades, tadpoles in the australian population have been shown to consume eggs of their own species. a 2022 study showed that when presented with cane toad eggs as well as eggs of native australian amphibians, cane toad tadpoles disproportionately consumed eggs of their own species. this behavior results from their attraction to bufadienolide, a chemical produced by the eggs of cane toads but not by the eggs of native amphibians. however, using data from this study, a student wishes to argue that the presence of bufadienolide doesn’t entirely explain the cane toad tadpoles’ preference for certain eggs over others.
which choice best describes data from the table that support the student’s argument?
a) the tadpoles consumed a higher percentage of the striped burrowing frog eggs than they did of the eggs of the dainty green tree frog.
b) the tadpoles left a certain percentage of the eggs of each of the five species unharmed, thus ultimately allowing them to hatch.
c) the tadpoles consumed a lower percentage of the short - footed frog eggs than they did of the eggs of their own species.
d) the tadpoles consumed the same percentage of the dainty green tree frog eggs as they did of the little red tree frog eggs.

Explanation:

The student argues that bufadienolide doesn't fully explain egg - preference. The little red tree frog and dainty green tree frog both don't produce bufadienolide, and the tadpoles consumed the same percentage (1%) of their eggs. This shows that something other than bufadienolide may be influencing preference.

Answer:

D. The tadpoles consumed the same percentage of the dainty green tree frog eggs as they did of the little red tree frog eggs.